The Bundesliga is back! After an exciting week of international fixtures, club football is set to get underway this weekend. German Champions Bayern Munich have had a mixed start to the season. Despite two wins, the Bavarians looked very unconvincing in their performances so far. This weekend, they will face a stern test as they travel to Sinsheim and face Julian Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim.
It might be the perfect challenge coach Carlo Ancelotti was looking for, as he looks to bring more determination into his side, while for Hoffenheim, it would be a matter of regaining strength after being eliminated in the Champions League by English giants Liverpool FC.
Here’s the Bayern Munich predicted lineup, which will face Nagelsmann’s troops on Saturday’s topspiel.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer is finally back! The German International captain wasn’t picked in Joachim Loew’s Germany squad for precautionary measures. Neuer has been training hard with the team to get back to full fitness. The 31-year-old was happy to make the starting eleven in their last match vs Werder Bremen. He’ll be even more fit, as Bayern travel to Sinsheim.
Right Back: Joshua Kimmich will once again start ahead of Rafinha, who was initially thought to be the possible short term replacement for Philipp Lahm. It seems as if, the youngster has dethroned Rafinha, from the starting eleven, thanks to his blazing start to the season. Though, the 21-year-old confessed that he’s not ‘a Philipp Lahm clone’ – Kimmich, in all sense, looks to be the heir of the retired German world champion.
Center Back(R): Niklas Sule‘s bright start to the season, will hand him another starting appearance this weekend. Sule has been very solid defensively, along with his partner Mats Hummels. He has also looked very dangerous from the set pieces as well.
Center Back(L): Mats Hummels, despite having a clumsy start to the season, is finally getting back to the rhythm. He scored the all-important winner in the game against the Czech Republic, to hand Germany a narrow 2:1 victory. He’ll be looking for some of them against Hoffenheim.
Left Back: David Alaba is the preferred left back for FC Bayern, but the Austrian fullback was ruled out indefinitely after sustaining an injury during the International break. Rafinha is expected to deputize the 25-year-old, as the left back.
Central Defensive Midfielder: As much as we would have liked to see Sebastian Rudy in action, Thiago’s return to full fitness will leave him at the bench, meaning Arturo Vidal will move deep and act as the holding midfielder. The uncompromising Chilean midfielder can be intimidating for the opposition.
Central Midfielder(R): Expect to see some magic in midfield, as Thiago Alcantara returns to the fold once again, after an injury layoff. The Spanish International will once again, be pulling the strings in midfield, and hopefully, work his magic in midfield, as he so often does.
Central Midfielder(L): Corentin Tolisso is expected to partner Thiago in midfield, in what will be one of the fascinating midfield-partnerships in the Bundesliga. Tolisso’s offensive flair and Thiago’s magic on the ball, could easily proper Bayern to victory.
Right Wing: Arjen Robben has been very effective last week against Bremen. He was one of the most active players on the field, despite not being able to get on to the scoresheet. His presence will surely be a distressing factor for the Hoffenheim defenders.
Left Wing: It will be interesting to see whether or not Kingsley Coman can finally dethrone Franck Ribery in the left wing position. The young French winger, turned the game on its head after coming on a substitute in the hour mark. An assist, which helped Lewandowski grab the deadlock, was pivotal to Bayern’s victory over die Grunweissen.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski is the undisputed choice as the main centre forward. The Polish International guided Bayern to victory all by himself, in the game against Bremen last week. His influence could be a telling factor against TSG.
