Despite last week’s demoralizing 3-0 defeat for Bayern Munich in the Champions League against Manchester City, Allianz Arena is expected to have an incredible atmosphere on Wednesday when Pep Guardiola’s men return for the second leg. Bayern needs a miraculous recovery in the second leg to book a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Die Roten had promising moments against Manchester City last week, but they failed to convert these moments into goals. The Bavarian club followed up the defeat against Man City with a turgid performance against Hoffenheim on Saturday. Since Borussia Dortmund also dropped points against Stuttgart, Bayern managed to hold on to the top place in the Bundesliga.
Thomas Tuchel was frustrated with his team’s performance against Hoffenheim. The German coach is particularly concerned about the midfield department. According to TZ, Tuchel is not sure about the midfield partnership of Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich.
Kimmich has largely been consistent for Bayern, but Goretzka’s form has been up and down this season. TZ has suggested that Joao Cancelo is an option for Tuchel in the center of the park against Man City. Goretzka’s performance against Hoffenheim frustrated Tuchel as he was seen rebuking the German international from the touchline.
Meanwhile, this report also insists that the Bavarian club internally believes that they are lacking a ball-playing midfielder to partner Kimmich in the center of the park. Goretzka is a more orthodox box-to-box midfielder that will keep things ticking and impose his physicality on the opposition.
Bayern has already added a midfielder for next season by signing Konrad Laimer from RB Leipzig. The Austrian midfielder has reportedly completed the medical and signed the dotted line to become a Bayern player at the end of the season.
Laimer excels in the number six position, so he is not exactly the ball-playing midfielder Bayern wants to partner with Kimmich. However, Kimmich can be utilized as an eight by deploying Laimer in the holding midfield position. Ryan Gravenberch is another option for Die Roten for the number eight position if they feel Goretzka is no longer the ideal midfield partner for Kimmich.
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It will be a big surprise if Bayern dips into the market for a midfielder during the summer window. Tuchel may have to work with the current options. Marcel Sabitzer will also become an option for the German coach if he stays at the club for next season. The Austrian is currently enjoying a productive loan spell at Manchester United. Nevertheless, the line-up against Manchester City will give a much clear idea about Tuchel’s plans for midfield.