England U21 talent to start? How Bayern could line-up against Lokomotiv Moscow
After a gruelling 3-3 draw with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday, Hansi Flick will undoubtedly be looking to take advantage of a meaningless game in the Champions League to rest a number of his key Bayern Munich players against Lokomotiv Moscow.
The Bavarian giants have looked a little jaded of late and Wednesday’s clash offers Flick the perfect opportunity to introduce a number of young players to more game time in the continental competition and even welcome back some previously injured players.
Bayern will be without Lucas Hernandez and Jerome Boateng to minor injuries, as well as Alphonso Davies, who is still recovering from his long-term injury. So we’re likely to see a back line of David Alaba and Niklas Sule in the middle, with Bouna Sarr on the right and Chris Richards on the left. Alexander Nubel is also expected to start in goals instead of Manuel Neuer.
In midfield Leon Goretzka is expected to keep his place after featuring against RB Leipzig, but long-term injuries to Corentin Tolisso and Joshu Kimmich, alongside a new one for Javi Martinez means Flick will have to draft in exciting, young talent Jamal Musiala alongside Marc Roca, who returns from a one-match ban.
Flick will most likely look to shuffle his well-stacked deck of attacking players for this match, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting almost certainly getting the nod ahead of first-choice No.9 Robert Lewandowski. Either side of the striker will probably be Serge Gnabry and Douglas Costa, following Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman’s stars on Saturday.