Bayern Munich: Predicted Starting XI against Saarbrucken in DFB Pokal
After enjoying an emphatic win against Darmstadt on Saturday, Bayern Munich gear up for the second round of DFB Pokal. They will be travelling to Saarbrucken on Wednesday in the second round of the German Cup competition. There are doubts about the pitch at Saarbrucken, but a final decision on the game is set to be taken on Wednesday.
Thomas Tuchel will have to rotate the team after playing a strong XI in three games over the last ten days. Let us look at the team news and the possible team selection that will be made by Tuchel on Thursday to seal the win in the second round of DFB Pokal.
Team News
Serge Gnabry is set to travel with the squad after recovering from illness and hand injury. The German winger is expected to come off the bench against Saarbrucken. Leon Goretzka has been training with the squad, so he is expected to get some minutes under the belt on Wednesday before the big game against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Thomas Tuchel confirmed on Tuesday that the game against Saarbrucken is too soon for Raphael Guerreiro and Dayot Upamecano. It remains to be seen if the defensive duo will be fit for Der Klassiker.
Tuchel on players returning from injury: "Things are looking pretty good for Leon Goretzka, he could make the squad tomorrow. It's still too early for Dayot Upamecano and Raphaël Guerreiro. Things are also looking good for Serge Gnabry after his illness. We assume that he can be… pic.twitter.com/hACOZkSYUO
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) October 31, 2023
Predicted Starting XI
Manuel Neuer had a good return to action after ten months on Saturday. The German goalkeeper is expected to start on Wednesday to build match rhythm. Neuer will hope to get another clean sheet to get back his confidence after such a long injury layoff.
Tuchel’s hands are tied when it comes to rotating in central defense. Kim Min-jae and Matthijs de Ligt are the only fit central defenders in the squad. They are expected to start for Bayern on Wednesday. Tuchel will hope that both of them have a relatively calm game to be fresh for the clash against Dortmund.
Bouna Sarr has got a couple of opportunities from the bench in the past few weeks, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start on Wednesday. In case Sarr starts, I can see Alphonso Davies getting a rest and Noussair Mazraoui starting in the left-back position.
Joshua Kimmich is set to miss the game against Dortmund due to suspension. In such a scenario, Kimmich is expected to start against Saarbrucken. Konrad Laimer may get some rest on Wednesday, which may allow youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic to get his first start for Die Roten.
Thomas Muller is expected to start on Wednesday in the number ten role. Mathys Tel started in the last round of DFB Pokal. He will get a chance to impress on Wednesday in the wide position. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will lead the attack, while Leroy Sane is likely to start on the right flank.
"NeuerSarr-KMJ-De Ligt-MazraouiKimmich-PavlovicSane-Muller-TelChoupo-Moting"
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Score Prediction
Saarbrucken 0-4 Bayern Munich
The pitch is far from ideal at Saarbrucken, but I still expect Bayern to get the win. It will be a nice opportunity for the squad players to impress. I am backing Mathys Tel to score a couple of goals on Wednesday.