After overtaking RB Leipzig at the top of the Bundesliga table on the weekend, Bayern Munich will lock horns with their sister club RB Salzburg on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League. The Bavarians have already secured two wins in the competition so far, and clinching all three points against their Austrian rivals in midweek could go a long way in sealing their position into the knockout round.
Predicted Bayern Munich Lineup Vs RB Salzburg
Defence
Bouna Sarr’s performance was a positive for Hansi Flick in their last game, and it won’t be surprising to see him retain his place in the side this midweek, at the likely expense of Benjamin Pavard.
Pavard going out means Lucas Hernandez should also return to the side. With Alphonso Davies out injured, the Frenchman is set to operate at left-back, with Sarr shifting to the opposite flank.
David Alaba, meanwhile, is guaranteed to be recalled into the starting lineup. The Austrian international will likely replace Jerome Boateng and partner Niklas Sule at the heart of the four-man Bayern Munich backline.
Manuel Neuer has performed extremely well in the Champions League so far and is once again expected to get the nod ahead of Alexander Nubel.
Midfield
Leon Goretzka suffered a knock at half-time against Lokomotiv last week, and with Bayern due to face Borussia Dortmund on the weekend, coach Hansi Flick will think twice before rushing him back into the starting lineup.
Javi Martinez, meanwhile, had already started against 1.FC Koln on the weekend, so there could be an opening for new signing Marc Roca.
The Spaniard, who arrived from Espanyol, could feature alongside the ever-present figure of Joshua Kimmich. The likes of Goretzka and Martinez could be valuable options on the bench.
Attack
Robert Lewandowski is more than guaranteed to return to the starting lineup after being given a day off against 1.FC Koln. The Pole is set to spearhead the Bayern Munich attack this midweek, replacing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
There could be changes elsewhere too, with Corentin Tolisso and Kingsley Coman likely to come in at the expense of Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane. Tolisso’s presence in the starting lineup means Muller will shift into a wider attacking role.
On the bench, Flick will have some considerable firepower in the likes of Douglas Costa, Sane, Gnabry and the young Jamal Musiala while Joshua Zirkzee could be a late replacement for Lewandowski.
