The ball rolls into the MHP Arena in just under an hour: FC Bayern will host VfB Stuttgart on the 13th Bundesliga matchday. We bring you the starting line-ups for the game.
After the 3-2 win in the DFB Cup at Union Berlin, Vincent Kompany’s team face their next demanding task just a few days later. At sixth-placed VfB Stuttgart, the record champions will be looking to defend the top of the table – and possibly set the next Bundesliga record.
Kompany is still without Jamal Musiala (recovery training after a fractured fibula) and Alphonso Davies (rehab after a cruciate ligament rupture), but Davies in particular is close to returning to the squad. Aleksandar Pavlovic is also not in the starting eleven after his muscle injury in the cup – but is on the bench.
Four changes compared to the cup: Urbig and Jackson start
Surprisingly, Jonas Urbig is in goal. The 22-year-old gets his next chance to start in the Bundesliga. In front of him, Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim defend in central defense. Konrad Laimer starts on the right and Raphaël Guerreiro on the left.
Kompany will rely on Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in central midfield. Michael Olise, Luis Diaz and Tom Bischof will start in attack – supported by Nicolas Jackson as the sole striker. Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry and Jonathan Tah will initially be on the bench. Lennart Karl is also part of the squad, but will not start.
Kompany on the verge of a historic record – attacking machine running hot
FC Bayern have always scored at least two goals in their last 20 Bundesliga games – the last time they achieved that was under Pep Guardiola over a decade ago. Another attacking success in Stuttgart would set a new record.
Vincent Kompany’s record also remains impressive: in the league, the Belgian has won 36 out of 46 games, with only two defeats, and his team has a goal difference of 143:41 – the best figure of any Bundesliga coach since taking office.
The line-ups at a glance
VfB Stuttgart: To follow shortly
FC Bayern: Urbig – Laimer, Upamecano, Minjae, Guerreiro – Kimmich, Goretzka – Olise, Bischof, Diaz – Jackson
Bayern substitutes‘ bench: Neuer, Ulreich – Tah, Gnabry, Kane, Ito, Karl, Stanisic, Pavlovic