Bayern Munich’s quest to return to the summit of European football begins on Wednesday night as they face Manchester United on Matchday 1 of the 2023/24 Champions League group stages.
Significant additions at both ends of the pitch have many projecting Thomas Tuchel’s side as a serious contender for Manchester City’s throne this season, with Harry Kane and Kim Min-jae both settling swiftly in Bavaria.
Bayern, who have started well but perhaps not as convincingly as some thought in the Bundesliga, have been drawn into a group which many expect they’ll top.
Erik ten Hag’s depleted and somewhat broken United outfit head into town on Wednesday night, and here’s the team Tuchel could pick for the game.
GK: Sven Ulreich – Manuel Neuer’s continued absence means Ulreich, his deputy, will make a rare Champions League appearance.
RB: Noussair Mazraoui – Tuchel opted to deploy makeshift full-back Konrad Laimer against Leverkusen, but the technically supreme Mazraoui should return to his XI on Wednesday.
CB: Dayot Upamecano – Matthijs de Ligt is growing frustrated with his reduced role, and it’s unlikely Tuchel will change tack at the heart of his defence given Upamecano’s impressive recovery speed.
CB: Kim Min-jae – The South Korean, signed from Napoli in the summer, has started the season superbly and already looks at home in Bavaria.
LB: Alphonso Davies – Davies started 2023/24 on fire and it looks like the Canadian is close to rediscovering his most potent form.
CM: Joshua Kimmich – Questions continue to surface surrounding Kimmich’s midfield competence, with German legend Michael Ballack the latest to raise doubts. Nevertheless, Tuchel’s lack of alternatives means Kimmich will almost certainly start in the pivot against United.
CM: Leon Goretzka – The box-crasher thought he’d sealed three points for Bayern on Friday night before they were pegged back in stoppage time. Goretzka’s running power could overwhelm United’s porous midfield.
RM: Leroy Sane – The winger was never prolific against the Red Devils during his time in Manchester, scoring just once in seven games against Man City’s fiercest rivals.
AM: Jamal Musiala – Musiala had endured a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury before he earned minutes off the bench on Friday. The young playmaker should replace Thomas Muller in the XI.
LM: Serge Gnabry – Gnabry has tormented English sides in the past, although United are yet to feel the German’s wrath.
ST: Harry Kane – A Kane masterclass is written in the stars, isn’t it? England’s captain continued his bright start to the Bundesliga season against Leverkusen.
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