FC Bayern faces a tough challenge against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday. Aaron Danks must fill in for several absent players, while the status of Neuer and Olise remains uncertain.
Bayern Munich has another important Champions League match coming up on Tuesday evening. On Matchday 4 of the group stage, the Munich team will travel to face Atlético Madrid. Kickoff at the Estadio Metropolitano is at 9 p.m.
After one win and two draws, Bayern are looking to pick up three more points in the Champions League. However, the personnel situation is challenging: With Ismael Saibari, Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, and Luis Díaz out, the team is missing four key offensive players. In addition, Aaron Danks continues to stand in for head coach Vincent Kompany, who is ill.
At least Manuel Neuer could return to goal. The captain rejoined team training on Monday after recovering from his foot problems. Jonas Urbig, who survived a violent collision with Carney Chukwuemeka against Borussia Dortmund, was also present.
Danks left the decision on the goalkeeper position open during the press conference. “Manuel just had his first first-team training session. We’ll make the decision tomorrow morning,” Kompany’s representative explained on Monday. Neuer will likely be between the posts. If he’s not ready, Urbig would be the alternative.
In the back four, Konrad Laimer is expected to start on the right. Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim are expected in the center, while Jonathan Tah could start on the bench. On the left, Josip Stanisic is an option, allowing Alphonso Davies to play further forward again.
Karl and Brown could start behind Kane
In the holding midfield, the odds are in favor of Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic. Significantly more adjustments are needed up front. Lennart Karl could start on the right wing, Nathaniel Brown could take the playmaker role, and Davies could come in on the left.
Brown and Davies had already taken on these attacking roles against Dortmund following the early injuries to Saibari and Gnabry. Karl, on the other hand, didn’t come on as a substitute in the Derby until the 85th minute and nearly scored the winning goal in stoppage time. His curling shot hit the crossbar.
Michael Olise plays an important role in these considerations. The Frenchman was able to train on Monday with his right knee bandaged. It remains to be seen whether he is ready to return to the starting lineup.
If Olise is able to start, the starting lineup would change, particularly for Karl. He could then also be an option in the center of the attack. It’s also conceivable that Danks will bring in an additional midfielder in the form of Tom Bischof. Bischof’s experience in more attacking roles opens up another option.
Harry Kane is expected to start up front. The Englishman is set to lead the Munich attack against Diego Simeone’s team. For its part, Atlético will have to do without Morten Hjulmand, who is suspended after receiving a red card.