FC Bayern is facing the most important match of the current season so far. A win against FC Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 can keep their chances of winning the last possible title of the season alive. Bayern coach Tuchel will have to make a few changes to his squad and may opt for a new trio.
Compared to the 2-2 draw in the first leg, Tuchel will have to make at least two changes. Left-back Alphonso Davies received his third yellow card and is therefore suspended for the second leg. Meanwhile, goalscorer Serge Gnabry suffered another injury and will therefore miss the second leg. At the press conference ahead of the knockout clash, the 50-year-old spoke about possible changes to the starting XI.
„The left-back situation will be solved in the same way as against Cologne, which means Noussair Mazraoui will play. The extra day of preparation will help us so that he can gather a little more strength. We’ll make the final preparations this evening,“ explained the Bayern coach. This means that the trained right-back Mazraoui will once again start on the left flank.
Pavlovic probably on the bench despite recovery
In attack, on the other hand, the loss of Serge Gnabry is particularly painful. After Kingsley Coman was also injured again against Cologne, the club will probably have to fall back on the ailing Leroy Sane. Thomas Müller could move into the starting eleven in the other wing position, while Mathys Tel could also play in this position.
With Aleksandar Pavlovic finally back after illness, the youngster could well have been expected to start. However, Tuchel explained at the press conference: „You could tell against Cologne that Pavlovic was still lacking strength. There’s a tendency for us to have him in the squad. But it’s good to have him. It can also go over 120 minutes.“ As a result, Konrad Laimer is once again likely to be preferred to Leon Goretzka in the defensive midfield.