FC Bayern will be without Jamal Musiala for their Bundesliga opener against VfB Stuttgart. Who will take over at the number 10 spot?
The new Bundesliga season kicks off for FC Bayern on Friday evening. To start things off, the German record champions will host VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena.
Vincent Kompany now has a much deeper roster to draw from than he did at the start of preseason. Dayot Upamecano has made further progress over the past week and should be ready for the starting lineup. Harry Kane and Michael Olise, too, have already shown in the Super Cup—following their late arrival—that they’re in good physical shape.
However, an important question remains regarding the attacking midfield. Jamal Musiala will not yet be in the squad following his two collapses in the preseason friendlies against RB Leipzig and 1. FC Heidenheim. The 23-year-old is expected to partially resume team training later this week, but the Stuttgart game comes too soon for him.
This suggests that Kompany may once again opt for an unconventional solution.
Brown could start in the number 10 position again
Nathaniel Brown already played in the number 10 position in the Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund, where he impressed with a goal. Kompany had previously tested the new signing—who was originally signed as a left back—in the attacking midfield as well.
If Ismael Saibari isn’t yet ready for a starting spot, Brown is likely to start behind Harry Kane once again. Although the Moroccan has since returned from injury, his fitness level could still prevent him from starting.
Michael Olise and Luis Diaz are set to start on the wings. Up front, Kane will once again lead the attack.
In central midfield, the odds are in favor of Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic. Behind them, Kompany is likely to stick with this back four: Konrad Laimer could start on the right, Josip Stanisic on the left. Jonathan Tah is a sure starter in the center, and Upamecano currently looks like the likely choice alongside him.
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This would mean Minjae Kim would start on the bench. Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito are also available as defensive options.
In goal, there are no surprises: Manuel Neuer will lead Bayern onto the field as the starting goalkeeper, as usual.
From the bench, Kompany could provide some interesting options, particularly on offense. Alongside Saibari, players such as Arijon Ibrahimovic, Lennart Karl, Maycon Cardozo, and Tom Bischof are ready to go. Serge Gnabry, however, remains sidelined due to his lack of training.
Meanwhile, VfB Stuttgart is expected to travel to Munich with an attack-minded lineup. Dzenan Pejcinovic is expected up front, with Tiago Tomas, Deniz Undav, and Bilal El Khannouss likely to start behind him. In central midfield, Grischa Prömel and Angelo Stiller are strong contenders to start.
Predicted lineups at a glance
FC Bayern: Neuer – Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic – Kimmich, Pavlovic – Olise, Brown, Luis Diaz – Kane
VfB Stuttgart: Bredlow – Vagnoman, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Prömel, Stiller – Tiago Tomas, Undav, El Khannouss – Pejcinovic