Jürgen Klopp is starting three Bayern Munich players against Serbia. Lennart Karl will start on the bench, while the German national team coach is relying on an FCB duo in midfield.
Three FC Bayern players are in the German starting lineup for the Nations League away match against Serbia. Jonathan Tah starts at center back, while Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic form the defensive midfield duo. Lennart Karl, on the other hand, will initially serve as a substitute.
The 18-year-old had recently earned further playing time with his goals against Atlético Madrid and Mainz. On the national team, however, Brajan Gruda is preferred on the right wing. Florian Wirtz takes the central position behind the striker, while Derry Scherhant starts on the left.
This means Karl will have to wait for his chance during the game, just like his Bayern teammates Nathaniel Brown, Tom Bischof, and Jonas Urbig. Kickoff for the match in Belgrade is at 8:45 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on RTL.
Kimmich and Pavlovic form Bayern’s midfield duo
In the center, Klopp is relying on the well-coordinated Munich duo. Kimmich leads the team as captain and, together with Pavlovic, takes charge of building up play. For Bischof, the veteran’s return means a spot on the bench for now.
This lineup had already been hinted at. Most recently, Kimmich and Pavlovic had been expected to be the preferred duo. Bischof had scored himself in the 2-0 first-leg victory against Serbia. Wirtz scored Germany’s second goal in that match.
In defense, Tah will start from the beginning. Alongside the Bayern defender, Klopp is relying on Malick Thiaw. Nico Schlotterbeck will start on the bench. On the flanks, Philipp Treu will defend on the right and Maximilian Mittelstädt on the left. Despite his versatility and his recent appearances in Munich, Brown will not start.
In goal, too, there are no surprises from a Bayern perspective. Marc-André ter Stegen starts, while Urbig remains the backup. Klopp had already established the pecking order for the upcoming international matches. Up front, Kai Havertz is expected to provide the necessary goals.
The German team needs points in the race for the quarterfinals. With five points from four matches, it sits in third place in the group ahead of the game, behind the Netherlands and Greece. Its only win so far under Klopp came against today’s opponent.
The crowd is unusually small due to a UEFA penalty. About 5,000 children are allowed to watch the match in the stadium, while the German visitors’ section remains empty. For Karl and the other Bayern players on the bench, the goal is to contribute to the hoped-for second win under Klopp should they be brought into the game.
The German starting lineup:
Ter Stegen – Treu, Thiaw, Tah, Mittelstädt – Kimmich, Pavlovic – Gruda, Wirtz, Scherhant – Havertz
The Bayern pros on the bench:
Urbig, Brown, Bischof, Karl