Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayern Munich: Matchday 3 Preview
Bayern Munich has started their quest for a 12th consecutive Bundesliga Title in fine form, taking all six available points in the first two games. With a 3-1 result at the Allianz Arena against Augsburg, Bayern showed why they broke their transfer record for Harry Kane as the Englishman bagged a brace. Kane’s double and an Augsburg own goal were more than enough to claim the three points even though Augsburg pulled one back in the closing minutes.
The Bavarian giants will look to continue their winning run this weekend as they travel to Borussia Park to take on Borussia Monchengladbach. Gladbach has been a bit of a bogey side for Bayern Munich as they have taken points and dumped the Rekordmeister out of the Pokal the last couple of seasons. Thomas Tuchel will be looking to put the recent Gladbach performances behind him on Saturday and continue the club’s perfect start to the season.
Bayern Munich
Despite finally signing a goalkeeper in Daniel Peretz, Sven Ulreich will get the start in goal for Bayern Munich. Ulreich has done what he has been asked to keep the position stable until Manuel Neuer finally returns (hopefully sooner rather than later).
With the Benjamin Pavard transfer saga finally over, Noussari Mazraoui has cemented his starting position at right back with a string of good performances. Centrally, the pairing of Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae has been very strong and I would be surprised to see a change in the middle. Bayern have three high-level center-backs at the moment, with Matthijs de Ligt looking to be the casualty to the surprisingly consistent Upamecano-Min jae pairing. On the left, Alphonso Davies will look to continue causing problems with his pace and delivery from wider areas.
Centrally, Tuchel again went with the trusted double pivot of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka against Augsburg, and again both rewarded Tuchel’s faith. I see no reason to switch what is working. In front of Kimmich and Goretzka, Serge Gnabry seemed to be the replacement for the injured Jamal Musiala. Leroy Sane drifted centrally behind Harry Kane at times in the Augsburg match (giving freedom to Mazraoui to get forward), while Serge Gnabry operated on the right flank. Gnabry and Sane ended up swapping positions throughout the game. With Musiala still out, I don’t foresee a change.
Through the first two Bundesliga matches, Sane has been one of my favorite players to watch with his technical touches and his ability to create with his movement and understanding of those around him. He’s really thrived under Tuchel’s guidance so far, and Mazraoui has complimented him well on the right flank. On the left, Kingsley Coman will show his pace and open up areas for Davies. Centrally, Harry Kane will look to add a fourth goal to the young Bundesliga season.
"Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1) Ulreich Mazraoui-Upamecano-Min Jae-Davies Goretzka-Kimmich Gnabry-Sane-Coman Kane"