Bayern Munich vs Heidenheim: Bundesliga Matchday 11 Preview

FC Heidenheim

***If you haven’t followed FC Heidenheim and their rise to the Bundesliga with Frank Schmidt, I strongly suggest you catch up on them. I was first introduced to Frank Schmidt when I watched the documentary “Trainer!” in 2013 that detailed him as a young manager. It is a great watch.***

Bundesliga new boys FC Heidenheim have enjoyed a great start to their inaugural season in the Bundesliga sitting 13th and currently four points clear of safety. This will not be the first time Frank Schmidt faces the Bavarian giants as he faced Die Roten in the DFB Pokal Quarterfinals during the 18/19 season. That match ended 5-4 in favor of Bayern Munich.

In goal, Kevin Muller has solidified himself as the Heidenheim starter and has made over 200 starts for the club. Omar Traore will start in the right-back position after arriving at the club in the summer, with club captain Patrick Mainka and Benedikt Gimber starting centrally. On the left, Norman Theuerkauf should start and give Heidenheim a strong defender on the left side.

Centrally, look for recent US national teamer Lennard Maloney to start as a holding midfielder with Jan Schoppner starting beside him. In front of the midfield pivot, Adrian Beck will provide the creativity in the number ten role.

On the right, Werder Bremen loanee Eren Dinkci will provide a goal-scoring threat as he has four goals already on the season. Opposite Dinkci will be Jan-Niklas Beste operating down the left. Centrally, Tim Kleindienst will spearhead the attack as the lone forward and provide aerial threat with his 6′ 4″ frame.

"Predicted Starting XI Muller Traore-Mainka-Gimber-Theuerkauf Maloney-Schoppner Dinkci-Beck-Beste Kleindienst"

Score Prediction

Bayern Munich 4-1 Heidenheim (Kane x2, Muller, Goretzka)

Heidenheim are a fun team to watch and are ones that play without fear no matter the opponent having taken points off Stuttgart just last week. They will pick and choose their moments to come out, but Bayern’s attack and Heidenheim’s defensive struggles should see a comfortable win for the hosts on Saturday. Kane will continue his scintillating run of form and Muller will enjoy finding space. Goretzka will add a goal from one of his late runs into the area provided by Muller’s ability to occupy wider areas. I still do not believe the defense can successfully keep clean sheets.