Bayern line-up against Leverkusen: Nagelsmann puzzle before the crisis summit

Created: 09/29/2022, 15:01

By: Alexander Kaindl

FC Bayern Munich expects Bayer Leverkusen at the crisis summit of two top clubs.

Which line-up will Julian Nagelsmann choose?

Munich – The Bundesliga is picking up speed again!

After the international break, FC Bayern Munich and Bayer 04 Leverkusen open the eighth match day on Friday (8.30 p.m.).

It's a hugely important game for both clubs.

Both the record champions and the Werkself are in crisis.

While Bayern have only picked up three points from the last four Bundesliga games, Leverkusen have only picked up five points in the entire season.

Thus, the fifth in the table expects the fifteenth for the Wiesn home game - an unusual constellation for two clubs that are usually always in the top group.

FC Bayern Munich in the crisis summit against Bayer Leverkusen

If Julian Nagelsmann has his way, his team will soon be back in the same one.

At the press conference (read the most important PK statements), he emphasized that he was not very worried about his players.

It is much more about “playing the situation out better”.

You have the “world-class squad” for this task.

The question before the meeting with the factory club: Which staff does Nagelsmann rely on?

Julian Nagelsmann, coach of FC Bayern Munich.

© IMAGO/osnapix / Titgemeyer

FC Bayern Munich: Who plays next to Kimmich against Leverkusen?

The Reds currently have four casualties to report: Lucas Hernandez, Kingsley Coman, Bouna Sarr and Paul Wanner.

Nagelsmann emphasized at the PK that none of these players will return against Bayer.

Accordingly, the defensive should already be in place: Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt and Alphonso Davies will appear in front of captain Manuel Neuer.

The situation in midfield and in attack is less clear.

Sure, Joshua Kimmich is set.

But who can go next to him?

The options are Leon Goretzka, Marcel Sabitzer and Ryan Gravenberch.

Goretzka suffered a bit in Wednesday training (de Ligt tackled a tackle), but: We see the German international ahead of his opponents in such an important game.

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Bayern line-up against Leverkusen: Nagelsmann puzzle before the crisis summit

In the offensive department, Nagelsmann should probably solve his line-up puzzle with the players in the strongest form.

These include above all Jamal Musiala, who once again demonstrated his quality with the DFB team, and Leroy Sané.

The pace dribbler was Bayern's best before the international break, even if he missed a number of good opportunities.

Who will fill the two remaining positions?

There are three possible candidates: Sadio Mané, Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry.

The trio is currently in a form crisis, but Mané was able to celebrate a goal again recently when he converted a penalty for Senegal.

That's why we see the newcomer in the starting XI.

Müller and Gnabry make up the last free space among themselves - Müller's tendency, since Gnabry's speed is the more attractive joker option for Nagelsmann if the other sprinters (Sané and Mané) have already exhausted themselves.

Estimated formation of FC Bayern Munich against Bayer 04 Leverkusen

The expected Bayern line-up against Leverkusen at a glance:

Neuer - Pavard, Upamecano, de Ligt, Davies - Kimmich, Goretzka - Müller, Musiala, Sané - Mané.