Surprising formation of FC Bayern in Mainz: Tuchel throws on the rotary machine

After losing the Champions League against Manchester City, FC Bayern is going to Mainz for an away game.

This is the starting line-up for Munich.

Update from Saturday, April 22, 2:30 p.m

.: The team line-up for the away game at FSV Mainz 05 is here.

Thomas Muller, on the bench against Manchester City, is back in the starting line-up, as is Alphonso Davies.

Also new are Josip Stanisic and Sadio Mané.

Summer - Stanisic, Upamecano, de Ligt - Cancelo, Goretzka, Kimmich, Davies - Musiala, Müller, Mané

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— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayern) April 22, 2023

First report

: Munich – FC Bayern is still looking for its form.

In the away game on Saturday afternoon in Mainz, after three competitive games without a win, there should be a sense of achievement again.

But with which squad does head coach Thomas Tuchel go in the game against his former club?

The expected line-up of the record champions.

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Even if goalkeeper Yann Sommer had to take criticism after being eliminated from the Champions League - especially after conceding three goals in the first leg - there is currently no way around him.

The Swiss national keeper will be between the posts again in Mainz.

Apart from the two long-term injured Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernández, Tuchel has plenty to draw from.

“We expect everyone in training.

If nothing happens, everyone is ready," he announced at the game day PK on Friday afternoon.

Only Benjamin Pavard is missing for the game in Mainz after his fifth yellow card, which he received against Hoffenheim.

Joao Cancelo will almost certainly start on right-back instead of the Frenchman.

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Alphonso Davies will probably cause a stir on the left defensive side.

The usual duo will start in central defense, Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano should regain self-confidence in the Rhineland-Palatinate capital.

Especially Upamecano, who didn't look good in both games against Manchester City, would benefit from a clean sheet.

There could also be a change in Munich's midfield.

The usual axis consisting of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka could start, but the latter showed some dropouts on Wednesday evening.

While it's likely to feature, another central midfielder could potentially come into play.

Ryan Gravenberch or Jamal Musiala would be candidates for the position.

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Thomas Tuchel will probably fall back on Thomas Müller.

The FCB icon was not in the starting XI twice against ManCity.

© Ulrich Wagner/imago

FC Bayern: Thomas Müller will probably return to the starting line-up in Mainz

Musiala, who was allowed to start on ten in the Champions League, would probably make room for Thomas Müller.

Tuchel surprised City by saying that the second leg of the quarter-finals was “not a Thomas Müller game”.

However, Mainz could be one again, not only because Tuchel emphasized the intensity and motivation of the Bayern icon in training at the press conference.

Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman will probably appear again on the offensive wing positions.

Sané recently showed appealing performances, but lacked effectiveness and callousness.

Coman was one of the best players in the red dress on Wednesday.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting can probably play in the center of the attack, Tuchel had clearly assigned the youngster Mathys Tel the role of substitute on Friday.

Estimated line-up: Summer - Joao Cancelo, Upamecano, de Ligt, Davies - Kimmich, Goretzka - L. Sané, Musiala, Coman - Choupo-Moting

List of rubrics: © IMAGO/Moritz Mueller