Bayern Munich vs Heidenheim: Bundesliga Matchday 11 Preview
The games are not slowing down for Bayern Munich as they continue on their quest for a 12th consecutive Bundesliga title. This weekend’s game against Bundesliga newcomers FC Heidenheim will be Bayern Munich’s 5th game in the last 3 weeks.
Die Roten’s last game in the Bundesliga was eventful. Bayern took the first Der Klassiker of the season with a resounding 4-0 victory in Dortmund on matchday 10. Dayot Upamecano got the visitors on the board with a thumping header in the fourth minute before Harry Kane doubled the lead just five minutes later. The English forward went on to grab his second goal in the 72nd and completed his hat trick in the 93rd to finish off Dortmund.
Bayern returned to the Allianz Arena midweek with a Champions League game against Galatasaray. Similar to their visit to Istanbul two weeks ago, Bayern would not find the Turkish champions an easy opponent. A second-half Harry Kane brace would see the German champions qualify for the knockout stages.
With FC Heidenheim coming to Munich on Saturday, Die Roten will be looking to continue their fine form in the Bundesliga. With injuries and suspensions factoring into Thomas Tuchel’s selection, the team for Saturday is sure to see some changes.
Bayern Munich
With Manuel Neuer back as the starting goalkeeper, the position will undoubtedly be his as long as he is fit. While Bouna Sarr has been getting chances under Thomas Tuchel, Noussair Mazraoui is the first choice right back and should continue in this role on Saturday.
Centrally, Upamecano is just returning from a spell on the sidelines. While he has shown next to no rustiness in his last two outings, I’m wondering how much Tuchel wants to push the Frenchman. With almost no other option to play alongside Kim, I think Upamecano gets the start, but I expect a 60-minute performance and then a change of shape with some creative substitutions (I would not be surprised if Tuchel runs a back 3 with Goretzka or Laimer slotting as a CB). On the left of the defense, it is of course going to be Alphonso Davies.
Joshua Kimmich was able to feature midweek in the Champions League but will miss the Heidenheim match through suspension. With no Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer will be the double pivot. The worst part of the week was seeing Jamal Musiala leave the Galatasaray match early with a hamstring injury that will leave him out of Saturday’s match. In his absence, Thomas Muller should step in.
While it has been a relief to have Serge Gnabry back as an option in the attack, the front three of Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, and Harry Kane have helped Bayern cement themselves as highest highest-scoring team in the Bundesliga. Sane has flourished with Harry Kane, and the English forward has certainly enjoyed the Bundesliga with 15 goals in his first ten Bundesliga games. It will be tough not to start the same front three against a Heidenheim side that is conceding over two goals per game.
"Predicted Starting XI Neuer Mazraoui-Upamecano-Kim-Davies Goretzka-Laimer Sane-Muller-Coman Kane"