Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs Real Madrid – Champions League
After besting Arsenal over two legs in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Bayern Munich’s attention now turns to Real Madrid.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are in danger of going the entire season without a trophy having been knocked off their Bundesliga title perch by the still unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen. There will also be no success in the DFB Pokal either – owing to a surprise elimination to third-tier FC Saarbrucken last November – meaning it’s Champions League glory or bust in Harry Kane’s first year in Munich.
The Bavarian giants have huge European pedigree but come up against the most successful team in Champions League history – Madrid booked their place in the last four by taking out reigning champions Manchester City.
Here’s how Tuchel and Bayern could line up for the second leg of their semi at the Allianz Arena.
GK: Manuel Neuer – The goalkeeping legend took the record for most clean sheets in Champions League history after shutting out Arsenal. Just another string to his ridiculously talented bow.
RB: Joshua Kimmich – Has reverted to playing at right-back to aid Bayern’s cause and propelled his team into the semi-finals with a powerful header against Arsenal.
CB: Kim Min-jae – With Matthijs de Ligt carted off against Eintracht Frankfurt with a potential knee ligament injury, the stage could be set for Kim – who has underwhelmed in Germany – to step up and deliver when his side needs it the most.
CB: Eric Dier – Did anybody really think Dier would be starting for Bayern in a Champions League semi-final? The fact Dier would probably answer no to that question says it all.
LB: Alphonso Davies – Back in the Champions League fold after missing the second leg win over Arsenal through suspension.
DM: Leon Goretzka – The midfield battle should be usually intriguing as Goretzka looks to get the upper hand over the likes of Camavinga, Kroos and Bellingham.
DM: Aleksandar Pavlovic – Konrad Laimer’s ankle issue, picked up in the same game as De Ligt’s knee problem, could afford the teenager a start in the heart of midfield.
RW: Thomas Muller – With Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman all struggling with ailments, Bayern will need all of Muller’s experience to help settle into the game.
AM: Jamal Musiala – In an ideal world Bayern would give Musiala more time to recover from an injury of his own, but ideals may have to go out of the window if the playmaker is able to get through an hour.
LW: Raphael Guerriero – Kept Bukayo Saka quiet in Bayern’s second leg win over Arsenal and will need to put in a similarly impressive performance here.
ST: Harry Kane – Became the third player in Bundesliga history to score 35 goals in a single season this past weekend. Kane’s superb form has also seen him bag seven times in 10 Champions League outings.