Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Bayern Munich could line up for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Aston Villa.
After making a scintillating start to the new league phase, Bayern Munich will meet Aston Villa on their first Champions League road trip of the 2024-25 season, as the teams convene on Wednesday evening.
Before reprising the 1982 European Cup final, Bayern ruthlessly kicked off the current campaign by smashing nine goals past Dinamo Zagreb on the opening matchday, helped to such a record-setting high by four strikes from star man Harry Kane.
The prolific forward caused concern for new coach Vincent Kompany at the weekend, when he was taken off with an ankle injury towards the end of Die Roten’s 1-1 draw with Bundesliga title rivals Bayer Leverkusen.
Nevertheless, Kane is expected to overcome that knock and lead Bayern’s attack upon his return to England. He may expect to find the net after firing a rare blank last time out: the 31-year-old averages a goal every 55 minutes so far this season, with 12 in nine games for club and country.
Again, his supply line should come from Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala, the latter of whom created more chances than any other player on matchday one of this season’s Champions League – all seven coming from open play.
Blessed with an abundance of talent across the final third, Kompany can also call upon German trio Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane and Thomas Muller – plus French pair Kingsley Coman and Mathys Tel – if required.
However, he will be without defenders Hiroki Ito, Sacha Boey and Josip Stanisic due to injury, in addition to young forward Arijon Ibrahimovic.
Having recently returned to fitness, Manuel Neuer will feature in goal, behind a defence comprising Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae and Alphonso Davies; Raphael Guerreiro faces competition from Konrad Laimer at right-back.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup: Neuer; Guerreiro, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
> Click here to see how Aston Villa could line up for Wednesday’s Champions League clash
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