Nagelsmann announces line-up change – starting eleven return for several stars
Created: 09/02/2022, 16:58
By: Christoph Klaucke
FC Bayern is required at Union Berlin.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann announces several changes, some stars are pushing for a return from the starting XI.
Munich – FC Bayern meets Union Berlin in the top game of the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Julian Nagelsmann made a good substitution in the 5-0 win against Viktoria Köln in the DFB Cup.
The FCB coach will also start the rotation machine again at the Alte Försterei in Berlin-Köpenick – some stars are more or less guaranteed a starting eleven for the duel first versus second.
FC Bayern: Nagelsmann makes several changes in the line-up
Julian Nagelsmann announced several changes in his line-up at the matchday press conference on Friday, but also had to complain about a new absence.
Mathys Tel, who scored his first goal in the cup when he made his debut as a professional, suffered a "small tear in the capsule".
The Sturmjuwel should return to Bayern training on Tuesday and be back at Inter Milan for the start of the Champions League the following day.
Bouna Sarr, who is plagued by patellar tendon problems, also has to pass.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, whose squad nomination was on the brink due to problems in the adductor pubic area, is said to be there.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann and his assistant coach Dino Toppmöller are working on the line-up.
© Imago
"We have a few candidates who played less in the cup, they will slip back in," said Nagelsmann.
That applies to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who will play in place of Sven Ulreich.
Full-backs Josip Stanisic and Noussair Mazraoui have been replaced by Alphonso Davies and right-back Benjamin Pavard.
The Frenchman even got a starting eleven guarantee.
"Pavard will play again," Nagelsmann said.
FC Bayern: competition in central defense - Goretzka already in the starting XI?
The choice for Nagelsmann in central defense will not be that easy.
"We have the familiar situation with the three central defenders, they are all at a great level," explained the 35-year-old.
In the cup, the duo Lucas Hernandez/Matthijs de Ligt got the preference.
It's quite possible that Dayot Upamecano will be trusted against the physically robust Unioner, who are strong in the air.
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In Bayern midfield, Marcel Sabitzer should again have Joshua Kimmich's back, even if Ryan Gravenberch didn't just draw attention to himself with his opening goal in Cologne.
Returnee Leon Goretzka, who scored directly on his joker comeback after injury, should get “more rhythm as soon as possible”.
The national player coped well with the game and is fit, but in view of Goretzka's injury history, the load has to be managed well, Nagelsmann said.
FC Bayern line-up: scramble for the top spots – do Müller and Mané always play?
As usual, the competition is raging on the offensive at FC Bayern Munich.
If you believe Nagelsmann's explanations, Leroy Sané and Jamal Musiala, who both came from the bench in Cologne, should be allowed to play from the start this time.
Nagelsmann doesn't want to do without Kingsley Coman, who even sat on the bench for the entire season: "It's certainly not wrong to have him on the pitch against such an opponent because he can solve many 1-1 situations better. "
Serge Gnabry, who had to play through in Cologne, Thomas Müller and Sadio Mané could all be considered for a break.
However, Müller and Mané were in the starting XI in all six competitive games this season.
It seems unlikely that Nagelsmann will do without both key players at the same time.
The coach will probably only rest the duo a week later.
Possible formation of FC Bayern against Union Berlin
Neuer - Pavard, Upamecano, de Ligt, Davies - Kimmich, Sabitzer - Coman, Sané (Musiala) - Müller, Mané