Just three days after the 5-0 win over Bodo/Glimt, FC Bayern faces another challenge. In Elversberg, Vincent Kompany is likely to make changes to his starting lineup in several positions.
Following their spectacular Champions League opener against Bodo/Glimt, FC Bayern is back in Bundesliga action as early as Sunday. At 5:30 p.m., the German record champions will visit surprise promotion-winning side SV Elversberg.
The short recovery period is likely to prompt Vincent Kompany to make a few changes. There are less than three days between Thursday night’s final whistle and the next kickoff. However, an extensive rotation like the one seen most recently at Schalke isn’t necessarily expected.
Manuel Neuer is likely to remain the starting goalkeeper. In front of him, however, the back four could see significant changes. Josip Stanisic is a candidate for the right side, while Nathaniel Brown could give Alphonso Davies a rest on the left. In the center, there’s a good chance Minjae Kim will start alongside Dayot Upamecano. Jonathan Tah could be rested for now.
A change is also likely in midfield. Joshua Kimmich is expected to start again, and Tom Bischof could get his chance alongside him. Aleksandar Pavlovic would thus initially be an option for the bench.
Musiala could be rested for now
The attack will be particularly interesting. Jamal Musiala started for the first time since his return against Bodo/Glimt and played 65 minutes. After his extended break, it would be entirely understandable if Kompany benched him again for the Elversberg match.
Lennart Karl could benefit from this. The youngster could start on the right wing, while Michael Olise moves more into the center. The Frenchman has frequently played as the number 10 in the 5-0 win over Bodo/Glimt after Musiala was substituted and has been given a lot of freedom by Kompany.
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On the left side, Luis Diaz could start again despite the tight schedule. The Colombian is still searching for his top form and could get more playing time.
Harry Kane is also likely to start as the center forward. The Englishman scored the 2-0 goal against Bodo/Glimt and could once again lead the Bayern offense. With Musiala, Ismael Saibari, and Serge Gnabry, Kompany would also have top-class alternatives for the second half.
Elversberg, however, is anything but your typical newly promoted team. The side from the Saarland has won its first two Bundesliga matches and, with six points, is actually ahead of Bayern in the standings. Kompany is therefore likely to rotate his lineup but will still field enough starters to avoid dropping points again, as happened at Schalke.
Predicted lineups at a glance:
FC Bayern: Neuer – Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim, Brown – Kimmich, Bischof – Karl, Olise, Luis Diaz – Kane
SV Elversberg: Kristof – Gyamerah, Pinckert, Rohr, Günther – Keidel, Poreba – Petkov, Onyeka, Campbell – Mokwa