Goretzka to return? How Bayern could line up versus Bayer

8:00am on Friday 18th December 2020
By Stefan Bienkowski

Bayern Munich will face one of their toughest tests of the season on Saturday evening when they come up against a Bayer Leverkusen side that not only sit top of the Bundesliga table but have yet to lose a single league game.

Hansi Flick had to make a number of selection changes and tactical tweaks in midweek as his side narrowly overcame Wolfsburg 2-1 and Saturday is likely to have even more issues for the Bayern head coach to overcome.

There will be very few surprises between the posts for Bayern, as Manuel Neuer keeps his spot in goals. But Flick may have to shuffle his pack in defence.

In midweek he was forced into playing a back three of Niklas Sule, Jerome Boateng and David Alaba. The latter two are likely to keep their spot, with Benjamin Pavard moving into right back and Alphonso Davies returning on the left flank.

Midfield will be the real concern for Flick, with Leon Goretzka missing Wednesday’s clash against Wolfsburg with an injury. Bayern will do all they can to ensure he makes the starting XI on Saturday, where he’ll likely play alongside Corentin Tolisso.

With no end in sight for his poor run of form in Munich, it’s likely that Leroy Sane will then be dropped to the bench as Flick resorts back to his front three of Kinsley Coman and Serge Gnabry either side of Thomas Muller.

Up front, Bayern will then be able to call upon the recently crowned FIFA Best mens player of the year, Robert Lewandowski.