Bayern Munich Squad Preview 2023/24: Attack
Options in wide areas
Should Thomas Tuchel stick with Bayern’s, tried and tested, 4-2-3-1 system then Kingsley Coman, once fit, should be a safe bet to start on the left wing. The French forward is also determined to stay in Bavaria as he recently rejected offers from Saudi Arabia.
The fleet-footed French international is the best winger at the club. Coman possesses an eye for goal, particularly when cutting infield onto his stronger right foot, and is also adept at leaving defenders in his wake and delivering dangerous crosses with his left. During his time at Die Roten, particularly as an inverted winger, he has also worked menacingly in tandem with left-footed overlapping full-backs such as David Alaba and more recently with Alphonso Davies.
Looking towards the right flank it would make some sense to deploy the left-footed Leroy Sane there not just because of his talent, but also to balance the attack.
Since his arrival from Manchester City in the summer of 2020, the German international has been hit and miss, but he has posted decent numbers in the attack over the last three seasons. The German forward is similar to Coman as he cuts infield onto his stronger left foot to either shoot at goal or release the overlapping wingback. Should Noussair Mazraoui be deployed as the starting right back then his overlapping presence may help Sané in rediscovering his best form.
Not to be overlooked for a starting berth on either flank is Serge Gnabry. Though naturally right-footed he possesses a powerful shot with either foot. He is also a more prolific goal scorer, for both club and country, than either Coman or Sane in addition to being more robust and direct. It would be interesting to see how Thomas Tuchel deploys him during the upcoming season.
Another option on the wing is the highly touted, 20-year-old, Jamal Musiala. Since his move from Chelsea during the 2019 summer transfer window, despite some growing pains, he has gotten better with time. The youngster has largely excelled in the central areas of the final third, but he can do a fine job in the wide positions if needed. As previously discussed, Choupo-Moting and Tel are also options for Tuchel in wide positions.