Bayern Munich vs SV Darmstadt: Bundesliga Matchday 9 Preview

Bayern Munich

After finally being available for selection last week, Manuel Neuer was not picked for the Mainz or the Galatasaray matches. Tuchel mentioned last week he wanted to take a more cautious approach with Neuer before being put back into action. With another week of team training, Neuer seems poised for his long-awaited return.

Noussair Mazraoui started against Galatasaray and lasted 78 minutes before Bouna Sarr replaced him. With Mazraoui offering more of an attacking threat, I expect him to start on Saturday. As Dayot Upamecano continues to recover from injury, there appear to be only two realistic options centrally with Matthijs de Ligt and Kim Min-jae. Alphonso Davies will of course start on the left of the defense.

Konrad Laimer has struggled to play regularly in midfield since his move from RB Leipzig this summer. With Leon Goretzka out for Saturday’s match, I think Tuchel is looking for a solution in the midfield. I’m going to reach a little here and say Jamal Musiala will drop deep to help Joshua Kimmich centrally and provide the midfield with an additional ball carrier from deeper areas. In front of Musiala and Kimmich, the veteran Thomas Muller will start and provide Die Roten with an additional forward.

Leroy Sane couldn’t find the finishing touch against Galatasaray but still looked dangerous in the final third. He will continue his fine form starting on the right. With Kingsley Coman now starting to chip in with his fair share of goals, grabbing two last week, it will be hard to keep him off the field. No surprise, but Harry Kane will get the start centrally.

"Predicted Starting XI Neuer Mazraoui-de Ligt-Min jae-Davies Musiala-Kimmich Sane-Muller-Coman Kane"