Bayern Munich: Three key battles to watch out against Manchester United
The Champions League football returns to Allianz Arena this week. Bayern Munich will begin the European campaign with a mouth-watering clash against Manchester United. The two European heavyweights are meeting in this competition after a decade.
Bayern has enjoyed an unbeaten start to the Bundesliga campaign. They dropped their first points of the season on Friday against Bayer Leverkusen. Meanwhile, Manchester United are going through a rough patch under Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils have won only two of their five games in the Premier League.
Despite the contrasting forms of both teams, Wednesday should be a good game at Allianz Arena. Both sides have a lot of experienced and quality young players. Let us look at the three individual battles that will have a big say on the outcome of the game at Allianz Arena.
Joshua Kimmich vs Bruno Fernandes
Midfield battles define the outcome of big European games. The game between Bayern and Manchester United on Wednesday will be no different. Joshua Kimmich has enjoyed a decent start to the season, but Thomas Tuchel is eager to add a defensive midfielder to the squad. The German coach believes that Kimmich is a number eight, while the player thinks he can play as a six.
Kimmich is expected to start in the number six position against Man United on Wednesday. The German midfielder will be coming up against Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker has been one of the best creative midfielders in Europe over the last 12 months. Fernandes has one goal and one assist to his name this season, but he is second on the lift of big chance creators in the Premier League. He tops the expected assist chart in the Premier League, so it is crucial for Kimmich to keep him quiet on Wednesday. (Stats courtesy: Fotmob)
Konrad Laimer vs Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has endured a slow start to the campaign, but he remains the most important forward for Manchester United. The English forward scored 30 goals across all competitions last season. He is able to beat full-backs on the left flank with his pace and trickery. It is difficult to contain him for the entire 90 minutes.
Konrad Laimer will be facing Rashford on the left flank. The Austrian midfielder has done well in the right-back position for Die Roten in the last two Bundesliga games. Tuchel will most likely stick with him on Wednesday in this position. Laimer will have to be at his best positionally to make sure Rashford has less space behind him. He will not be able to beat Rashford in a foot race, but better positioning will help Laimer to cut off chances for the English forward.
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Harry Kane vs Lisandro Martinez
Harry Kane has hit the ground running for Bayern. The English forward has scored four goals in as many Bundesliga games this season. Kane has not particularly enjoyed a good record against Manchester United during his time in the Premier League. The English star will be Die Roten’s main goal threat on Wednesday.
Considering Manchester United’s defensive woes this season, Kane will be itching to play at Allianz Arena on Wednesday. Lisandro Martinez fared well against Kane last season at Old Trafford. The Argentine defender enjoyed a very good debut season with Man United, but it ended on a poor note due to a serious injury. Martinez has not been at his best this campaign. Wednesday could be the ideal game for the Argentine to get his mojo back against a striker whom he kept quiet in their last meeting.