How Bayern could line-up in Bundesliga opener v Schalke

7:45am on Friday 18th September 2020
By Martin Macdonald

Bayern Munich, European champions, will get their Bundesliga campaign underway on Friday night against Schalke.

Bayern v Schalke, 18 September, 1930GMT KO

Hansi Flick's side have had somewhat a low-key summer in terms of arrivals, with Leroy Sane, a deal which saw secured an age ago now, their only major signing, coming in from Manchester City.

He is nailed-on to make his competitive debut for his new club and it will be exciting to see how Bayern are able to utilise his extreme pace - particularly considering he hasn't played a huge amount since his recovery from serious injury.

Elsewhere, Thiago's move to Liverpool is all but done meaning that Flick can execute his plan to move Joshua Kimmich from right-back to central midfield on a permanent basis, alongside Leon Goretzka.

At full-back it will likely be Benjamin Pavard dropped into his position, to complete a back four with Jerome Boateng, David Alaba's off-field situation remains unclear as his agent seems keen to move him on but in a difficult market. He will likely start the game, though Niklas Sule is available to stand in. Alphonso Davies will play left-back.

Ahead of Kimmich and Goretzka, it is likely to be a trio of Sane, Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller behind Robert Lewandowski taking his place through the centre.

Kingsley Coman is allegedly under quarantine and won't be available, while new arrival from PSG, Tanguy Kouassi, is sure to miss the first month of the season with a hamstring injury.

But Bayern's depth, with Javi Martinez also likely to leave the club, is being laid bare slightly and it's sure that Flick will be looking at before the window closes.