Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena in the Bundesliga’s 108th rendition of Der Klassiker on Saturday evening. Just one point separates the two teams, and Thomas Tuchel will be eager to get off to a winning start against his former employers.
According to Kicker, Tuchel is expected to favour a 4-2-3-1 with Benjamin Pavard favoured to Dayot Upamecano alongside Matthijs de Ligt. Another option would be to feature all three in a back three with Alphonso Davies and one of Joao Cancelo or Kingsley Coman operating on the right.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game, Tuchel confirmed that he has almost every player available barring long-term absentees Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez and Mathys Tel. That means Leon Goretzka has recovered from an injury picked up whilst on international duty and he will start alongside Joshua Kimmich.
Thomas Müller is expected to keep his place in the starting XI with Sadio Mané to drop to the bench in place of the returning Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. This will be the third time Tuchel has coached Choupo-Moting.
Jamal Musiala is also an option after he picked up an injury prior to the international break. The 19-year-old will feature in a training session on Saturday morning before Tuchel makes a decision on whether or not Musiala will start against Borussia Dortmund.
Predicted Bayern Munich XI vs Borussia Dortmund
Yann Sommer – Joao Cancelo, Benjamin Pavard, Matthijs de Ligt, Alphonso Davies – Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka – Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
