Following two back to back defeats in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich face another stern test as they travel to Turin to lock horns with Lazio in the UEFA Champions League. It is going to be a vital game for the defending European champions, who have looked shaky and inconsistent at the back and are also missing key players. Another defeat, this time in Europe, could further derail their campaign.
Predicted Bayern Munich Lineup Vs Lazio
Defence
Benjamin Pavard’s recent Covid-19 diagnosis means the Frenchman remains out for this game. Bouna Sarr is an option for Hansi Flick, but it appears he could continue with Niklas Sule despite his struggles against Filip Kostic on the weekend.
Alphonso Davies and Manuel Neuer are shoe-ins, in this Bayern Munich lineup as they look to improve from their performances over Eintracht Frankfurt in the last game.
There could be one change in defence though, with David Alaba making way for Lucas Hernandez. The Frenchman came on from the bench against Frankfurt but could operate at the heart of the four-man backline this midweek, alongside Jerome Boateng.
Midfield
Things do get interesting in midfield, with Leon Goretzka almost guaranteed to return to the side. The German should replace Marc Roca, who has had a disappointing start to his career at Bayern.
However, instead of his usual midfield partner in Joshua Kimmich, Goretzka may operate alongside David Alaba in the double-pivot. As for Kimmich, he might be deployed in the advanced midfield role, due to the absence of Corentin Tolisso due to injury while Thomas Muller remains out after contracting Covid-19.
Flick does have alternatives in Jamal Musiala and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, but neither of them are likely to feature in the starting eleven.
Attack
Moving forward, the Bayern Munich attack should be spearheaded by none other than Robert Lewandowski as he looks to replicate his Bundesliga form in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages once again.
Elsewhere, however, the Bavarians may have to persist with the wide attacking duo of Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman as Serge Gnabry remains a doubt. Musiala and Choupo-Moting can also be considered as potential alternatives though.
