The three three-colored world champions Bayern Munich will not all be on the lawn of the Allianz Arena at the kickoff, this Wednesday evening, of the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League against PSG.
If Benjamin Pavard should normally start at the right-back position, this will not be the case for Corentin Tolisso, obviously forfeited after his serious injury in February (torn tendon in the thigh), and probably Lucas Hernandez.
The latter, even if he has found himself in three of the last four matches of the Bavarian formation (Werder Bremen, Lazio Rome and RB Leipzig last Saturday), has, in fact, a great chance of being a replacement.
The central hinge composed of David Alaba and Jérôme Boateng holds the rope to start the game and the Canadian Alphonso Davies should occupy the position of left back.
Seeing Lucas Hernandez, 25, who can play in central defense or as a left-back, start on the sidelines for such an important game may surprise due to his status as world champion and the biggest transfer in the history of the Bayern.
The German club had bought the French international from Atlético de Madrid during the 2019 offseason for an amount of 80 million euros.
"He is absolutely not discouraged by the situation"
“The expectations were enormous when he arrived but, last year, he was injured (
Editor's note: in particular a crack in the intra-articular ligament of an ankle which kept him away from the field for nearly 4 months
) and, afterwards, the The team did well without him, says Patrick Guillou, beIN Sports consultant for the Bundesliga.
At the start of the season, he was by far Bayern's best defender.
In terms of race volume, impact and duels, he was at the top.
"
Lucas Hernandez had taken advantage of the injury (ankle) of Alphonso Davies to follow the games as left side in the fall.
But since January 1, he plays less.
His playing time is not, however, starved.
In 27 Bundesliga matches, he took part in 18 matches (13 times starting and 5 times substituting) and playing the 8 Champions League matches (5 times starting and 3 times substituting) as well as the final of the World Cup. clubs (holder) against the Tigres de Gignac.
“Lucas would like to play more, but it's a choice of the coach
(Editor's note: Hans-Dieter Flick)
, says his mother Laurence Py.
Injuries bothered Lucas and then the team won so it's not easy to change the lineup.
He is absolutely not discouraged by the situation.
He is well in his head.
It is not easy for him but he says he will work even harder to be a starter.
His mentality does not change.
"
Victim of an internal struggle?
Hans-Dieter Flick praises Hernandez's involvement during the interviews, saying that "it is a pleasure to work with a great professional like him and that he is hyperpositive in the Bayern dressing room".
In Germany, however, some believe that Lucas Hernandez, but also Bouna Sarr and Marc Roca (arrived this summer from OM and Espanyol Barcelona), would be collateral victims of the internal struggle between coach Flick and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, at the origin of the arrival of the three players.
“There are two visions: that of Flick in the short term with results and that of Salihamidzic in the medium term with a business strategy where it is essential to enhance the club's investments.
We must therefore find compromises, explains Patrick Guillou.
But I can't imagine a coach not playing one of his elements if he thinks he's the best.
In Flick's mind, the defense in big games is made up of Pavard, Boateng, Alaba and Davies.
Lucas finds himself in the best club in the world with stiff competition.
But nothing is set in stone.
"
