Bayern Munich face their first test of the new season as they face Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, a team who has been their bogey team over the last few years.
In the opening two games of the Bundesliga Bayern have gone unbeaten, beating Werder Bremen 4-0 in the opening game and then beating Augsburg 3-1 last weekend. Harry Kane has settled in well scoring three goals in two games while Leroy Sané and Alphonso Davies have both significantly improved over the summer.
Bayern’s defence has also yet to be properly challenged and showed signs of weakness against Bremen, so facing a Gladbach team that have shown that they have the attacking firepower will provide a test for the defence.
Gladbach’s main issue going into this game has been their defence. In the opener against Augsburg, they conceded four before then conceding three goals last weekend against Bayer Leverkusen. Against die Werkself, Gladbach looked lost when it came to defending and were easily cut apart by the quality of Leverkusen’s attack and with Bayern possessing as much firepower as Leverkusen, defensively it is likely to be a repeat of last weekend.
The positive going into this game is the fact that Gladbach seems to have Bayern’s number when it comes to beating them. In the past 20 meetings between the two, Bayern have only won five times with most of their wins coming at home, so despite Gladbach’s poor start to the season the club will want to keep their great record up against Bayern.
Team News
Gladbach will be without Jonas Omlin who is suffering from a shoulder injury and is likely to face surgery and the recovery could take a number of months. Christoph Kramer and Manu Koné both continue their recovery from injuries, while Stefan Lainer (Cancer) and Luca Netz (muscular problems) will miss the game.
Bayern’s big miss will be Jamal Musiala, the 20-year-old is suffering from a muscle tear and is likely to be out for a number of weeks. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also continues his recovery from his broken leg that he suffered at the end of last year.
Predicted Borussia Mönchengladbach XI
Nicolas – Friedrich, Itakura, Wöber – Honorat, Weigl, Neuhaus, Scally – Ngoumou, Plea – Cvancara
Predicted Bayern Munich XI
Ulreich – Mazraoui, Upamecano, Kim Min-Jae, Davies – Goretzka, Kimmich – Sané, Gnabry, Coman – Kane
GGFN | Jack Meenan
