The wait for a new season kick off is finally over as the Bundesliga gets underway on Friday night with Bayern Munich hosting Schalke 04.
After a stellar season that culminated with a treble titles, Bayern Munich will be looking to defend their Bundesliga titles.
The Bavarians will kick off the new campaign with a home game at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga title in an unprecedented manner going 30 games undefeated (29 wins, one draw).
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They carried that same spirit go the UEFA Champions League thrashing Barcelona 8-2 en route to the semi-final.
The record run went on to the final where they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in Lisbon Portugal to be crowned champions of Europe.
The task of defending three titles could be a daunting one for the Bavarians but with the depth of their squad, they are equal go the task.
Bayern have a perfect record of a successful start to a new campaign and have remain unbeaten in their last eight Bundesliga opening games.
It will be a daunting task for Schalke 04 who were on the verge of going on administration before the resumption of last season.
Though still passing through some financial crisis that has hindered them in the transfer window, the Royal Blues will definitely fight their way out.
A top ten finish will be well celebrated by the club management in the 2020/2021 season due to their current financial issues.
TACTICS & TEAM NEWS
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich was able to achieve a treble last season because of some key transfer they did especially getting players like Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona.
That gave so much attacking depth to Hansi Flick who have players at his disposal.
However, Flick faces a problem in his attacking option following the departure of Coutinho, Ivan Perisic after their loan spell expired.
Also, Tiago Alcantara departed the club to join Liverpool reducing the option for Bayern.
Kingsley Coman will not be available after he tested positive to COVID-19 forcing Flick to play Leroy Sane.
Although the German international played in the UEFA Nations League of Germany, but he is yet to be for enough for full 90 minutes action.
Graciously, Thomas Muller Serge Gnabry and Lewandowski are all available for selection which will calm Flick worries.
Defensively, David Alaba, Niklas Sule, Alphonso Davies and Benjamin Pavard are available and ready to go.
The addition of Jerome Boateng who trained also on Thursday means they back look solid.
How Bayern Munich could line up (4-2-3-1)
Neuer; Pavard, Sule, Alaba, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Muller, Sane; Lewandowski
Schalke 04
This game will serve as an avenue for Schalke players to prove a point that they are ready to take on any team this season.
For David Wagner, it is a perfect avenue to prove his mettle after a turvy outing last season.
The club have signed two players so far, Goncalo Pacencia who joined on loan from Frankfurt and 36-year old Vevad Ibisevic.
Nastastic is a doubt ahead of the opener but Wagner have Benjamin Stambouli in that position.
Ralf Fahramann is back to the club after spending last season on loan with Norwich City in the Premier League.
Another player who retuned from loan is Nabil Bentaleb who will take the place of injured Mascarell.
He could partner partner Nassim Boujellab and Suat Serdar in the midfield with Can Bozdogan who joined from the youth team also an option.
The two players that joined the team, Paciencia and Ibisevic are fit but Wagner would prefer a young Pacencia to Ibisevic.
Amine Harit could be drafted by to start as a lone attacking midfielder with Benito Raman and Rabbi Matondo also an option.
Fahrmann will be in post for the departed Nobel Alexander who has joined Bayern Munich.
How Schalke 04 Could Line up (4-3-1-2):
Fahrmann; Rudy, Kabak, Stambouli, Oczipka; Serdar, Bentaleb, Boujellab; Harit; Uth, Paciencia
Key Stats
- Lewandowski scored four of his 34 Bundesliga goals last season against Schalke, including a hat-trick on Matchday 2.
- The Royal Blues are among the 32-year-old’s favourite opponents: he has 19 goals in 19 outings against them.
- Suat Serdar was Schalke’s top scorer in 2019/20 with seven.
- This will be the 101st Bundesliga meeting between the sides. Bayern have won 54 of those; Schalke 18, with 28 draws.
- Over the summer, former Schalke No.1 Nübel moved to Bayern, following a path previously trodden by Leon Goretzka and Manuel Neuer.
- Sane is another former Schalke player on Bayern’s books. The Germany international could make his competitive debut for the defending champions against his boyhood club.
Player To Watch
We could see another season of Bayern winning the Bundesliga again if other team’s don’t sit up as early as possible.
The role of Alphonso Davies to the Bavarians excellent outing last season cannot be overemphasized.
LEven his teammate and vice Captain Thomas Muller couldn’t stop admiring his quality and was always full of praise for the player’s ability to initiate counterattacks.
He is poised to continue from where he stopped last season and it will be interesting to see how he performs in the opening game.
Prediction
Bayern 3-1 Schalke 04
Bayern Munich dominance is the Bundesliga is becoming stronger and stronger each season.
They have the penchant of taking their chances once they discover their opponents weak point.
With Schalke 04 still battling to get back to their best, we’re expecting a comfortable win for the champions.
Anything short of victory for Bayern will be a shocker .