Predicted XI

Lewandowski still out - How PSG and Bayern could line up in the Champions League

The German champions were already missing their influential striker for the first leg and will have to contend without him again

 
9:16am on Monday 12th April 2021
By
Martin Macdonald

Defending Champions League winners Bayern Munich will be without talismanic centre-forward Robert Lewandowski for their quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

The Pole was absent for the first leg and was sorely missed as the German giants were defeated 3-2 last week, and has been unable to recover in time from his knee injury for the second leg.

That means Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will start up top, having scored a superb header in the first leg.

At the weekend Bayern could only manage a 1-1 draw against Union Berlin after Hansi Flick was forced to field a much changed starting XI due to the number of absences the team had.

Such players as Tiago Dantas, Josip Stanisic, Bouna Sarr, and Jamal Musiala started that one.

Benjamin Pavard, David Alaba and Leroy Sane were all rested, but should return to the starting XI for Champions League action.

Javi Martinez started in the centre of defence against Union Berlin, but he may be required in midfield against PSG due to the current injuries to Leon Goretzka, Marc Roca and Corentin Tolisso.

Serge Gnabry is unavailable after testing positive for coronavirus shortly before the first leg.

Niklas Sule and Lucas Hernandez are tough and go due to a muscular issue and a bruised rib respectively.

For PSG, they are facing a race against time for Alessandro Florenzi and Marco Verratti to turn in negative Covid tests before they can be made available for selection.

Marquinhos has a small tear in his adductor, and PSG are not believed to be willing to risk further injury by playing him against Bayern.

That could mean a place in the centre of the defence for Danilo Pereira, who could move into a deeper role with Leandro Paredes featuring in midfield alongside Idrissa Gueye.

Mauricio Pochettino should be able to name the same front four as the first leg with Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler all starting.

Predicted XIs: PSG v Bayern

BAY vs PSG - Football tactics and formations

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