Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig: Bundesliga Matchday 23 Preview

So much can change in just eight days, especially when you are the manager of Bayern Munich. What started with a matchday 21 loss to Leverkusen, was followed by a Champions League first leg defeat away to Lazio in Rome. Instead of using a trip to Bochum to steady the ship, the Bavarians fell to a shock 3-2 defeat.

The defeat in Bochum ultimately spelled the end for Thomas Tuchel and his reign in Munich. The board decided to part ways with Tuchel following the completion of the 23/24 season. Bayern Munich will be looking for a manager for the third time in three years.

While sitting eight points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich cannot afford to drop any more points if they hope to have a chance to regain the league title. However, Saturday does not seem to be the greatest opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table as RB Leipzig will certainly visit Allianz Arena smelling blood and boost their chances of getting a place in next season's Champions League. With Bayern Munich now playing for a lame-duck manager, and the Bundesliga almost out of reach, what will Saturday's team look like for Tuchel?

Bayern Munich

While the result in Bochum was certainly one to forget, Manuel Neuer played well. His save in the 89th to keep the score close was a flashback to Neuer's younger days. He will get the start again on Saturday.

Right back is becoming more and more of an issue for Bayern Munich. With new signing Sacha Boey out for an extended time and Konrad Laimer out, Noussair Mazraoui got the start against Bochum. However, the Moroccan defender's time on the pitch was cut short by a muscle injury. He has now joined Boey on the sidelines. Dayot Upamecano was brought in as an emergency right back but was dismissed with his second red card in as many games, leaving the right-back spot open. Eric Dier does bring the versatility to play right back, but I guess it will be Joshua Kimmich against RB Leipzig. With Upamecano out, Matthijs de Ligt and Kim Min-jae should start centrally. Raphael Guerreiro will start on the left as Alphonso Davies remains sidelined.

With Kimmich having to fill in at right back and Aleksandar Pavlovic out, Leon Goretzka should start centrally. The big question now is who plays with Goretzka. Having to deal with Leipzig's counter-attacks, Tuchel will certainly need a ball-winner centrally. I'm going to guess Dier starts as a ball-winner beside Goretzka and is tasked with the duty of breaking up play. While Jamal Musiala has been filling in as a winger in recent games, I think he will move back to attacking midfield to offer a deeper outlet against Leipzig's press.

Leroy Sane missed the opening portion of the loss to Bochum, but would come on late as Bayern chased an equalizer. I think he is fit enough to start on Saturday. Sane was not the only one who came on late to make an impact. Mathys Tel was excellent in the small sample size we saw in Bochum. For someone who has been wanting to see more of Tel, surely Tuchel will give him a start on Saturday. Harry Kane should continue to start as long as he is fit.

Bayern Munich Predicted Starting XI

Neuer
Kimmich-de Ligt-Kim-Guerreiro
Dier-Goretzka
Sane-Musiala-Tel
Kane