Fresh off securing their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, Bayern Munich shifts its focus back to Bundesliga action as they prepare to host Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.
The Bavarians will be looking to bounce back in the league after a recent draw against strong opposition saw them miss an opportunity to solidify their position at the top. With the title race intensifying and rivals like Borussia Dortmund breathing down their necks, every point is crucial as Bayern aims to maintain their championship pursuit in the final stretch of the season.
In their recent Champions League Round of 16 tie, the Bundesliga giants demonstrated their dominance, overcoming Lazio with a commanding 6-2 aggregate victory over both legs, showcasing their formidable attacking prowess.
Under coach Thomas Tuchel, Bayern faces a few injury concerns. While key figures like Manuel Neuer remain sidelined due to injury, Sven Ulreich is expected to step in goal. Kingsley Coman and Alphonso Davies might also be unavailable or recovering from knocks, impacting the wing options. However, the attacking setup is likely to feature Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, and Leroy Sané supporting the prolific Harry Kane in their favoured 4-2-3-1 system.
Meanwhile, Union Berlin has successfully navigated themselves away from the immediate relegation zone, currently holding a respectable mid-table position. After experiencing a challenging run with back-to-back losses, Die Eisernen found a crucial reprieve in their last outing, securing a vital three points against Freiburg thanks to a dramatic added-time winner from one of their key players.
Nenad Bjelica’s side understands the monumental challenge ahead. While Bayern may seem destined for the title, Union will view this match as a significant opportunity to test themselves against the league leaders and potentially snatch valuable points on the road.
For Union Berlin, goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow is confirmed to start between the posts. They may be without midfielder András Schäfer, who is serving a suspension, potentially affecting their midfield dynamism.
Predicted Line-ups
Bayern Munich:
Ulreich – Mazraoui, Upamecano, M.-J. Kim, Guerreiro – Kimmich, Goretzka – Sané, Musiala, Gnabry – Kane.
Union Berlin:
Rønnow – Doekhi, Knoche, Leite – Trimmel, R. Khedira, Tousart, Gosens – Volland, Vertessen – Behrens.
