RB Leipzig will travel to the Allianz Arena knowing full well that Bayern Munich are there for the taking.
Defending champions Bayern Munich are caught in the headlights and now face an RB Leipzig side that have had their number in the previous seasons.
Thomas Tuchel is set to leave the Allianz Arena at the end of the current season, but there should be no leeway in terms of expectations at Die Roten until then. Defending their Bundesliga crown is the bare minimum and also represents the home side’s best chance of securing silverware this season.
Bayern are trailing 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, and a comeback is far from guaranteed. Die Roten have lacked bite in their losses to Lazio and Bayer Leverkusen while failing to make opportunities count against Vfl Bochum.
Losing a game is unthinkable at Bayern, let alone three in a row. Tuchel’s reign will hit a new low should his side come undone on the night. Eight points off top spot, a loss on the night could see Bayern end the week 11 points shy of Leverkusen, who face Mainz on Friday. It should more or less prove to be the death kneel in their pursuit of a 12th successive German top flight title.
Leipzig are one point off Borussia Dortmund in the race for the fourth spot going into this weekend. Marco Rose’s men have already frustrated Bayern twice this season, and he will hope to continue that streak. Leipzig came out 3-0 winner in the DFL Supercup while securing a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture in the Bundesliga.
While three points will be the priority for Bayern, Tuchel will seek a reaction from his players following the developments of late. Bayern are a fractured family at this time and how well the squad responds to adversity will be clear for all to see. There should be no shortage of talking points on the night. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
The Bavarians have decisions to make following a set of unflattering results. There appears to be a falling out between Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Tuchel, a situation that is unlikely to have been repaired following the former’s clash with the latter’s man Friday, Zsolt Low.
However, the German international could be played at right-back given that both Sacha Boey and Noussair Mazraoui are nursing hamstring injuries. Given that Tuchel is unconvinced with Kimmich’s performances in the midfield, a return to basics could prove beneficial for all parties.
Tuchel also has other injury concerns with Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Konrad Laimer, Bouna Sarr, Noel Aseko, and Tarek Buchmann all unavailable for the clash. To add to his woes, Alphonso Davies is also a doubt as he continues to recover from a knee issue.
Bayern Munich are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Manuel Neuer in goal. He should be protected by the back four of Joshua Kimmich, Matthijs de Ligt, Kim Min-jae and Raphael Guerreiro.
Bayern’s Player of the Month for January, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leon Goretzka should form the double pivot with the trio of Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller and Jamal Musiala pushing forward. Harry Kane is the automatic choice to start upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, de Ligt, Kim, Guerreiro; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Musiala; Kane
RB Leipzig
The visitors are in the race for the fourth spot and will go into the clash with confidence given their recent record against Bayern Munich. Leipzig have won their most recent two trips to Munich and will aim to become the second side in Europe to secure a hat-trick.
A return of two wins and a draw from their last three league games has seen Leipzig keep up with Borussia Dortmund in the race for the final UEFA Champions League spot. A victory over Bayern should send a statement to their rivals that Leipzig mean business.
However, Rose will have to do so without Lukas Klostermann, who is nursing a thigh injury. Meanwhile, Amadou Haidara is also a doubt and should take a late fitness test to gauge his availability. The visitors have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.
Leipzig should start out in a traditional 4-4-2 layout that is freely flexible and takes the shape of a 4-2-2-2 when needed. Peter Gulacsi should start in goal behind the back four of Benjamin Henrichs, Mohamed Simakan, Willi Orban, and David Raum.
Kevin Kampl and Xaver Schlager should hold the fort in the middle of the park, giving Dani Olmo and Xavi Simons the freedom to push forward. Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko should lead the visitors’ attack.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Gulacsi; Henrichs, Simakan, Orban, Raum; Simons, Schlager, Kampl, Olmo; Sesko, Openda
Key Stats
- RB Leipzig are unbeaten in their last four games against Bayern Munich, longer than any other top flight side in the Bundesliga.
- RB Leipzig could join Real Madrid as the only sides to win three consecutive games away to Bayern Munich in all competitions.
- A loss on the night will see Bayern Munich suffer four games in a row across all competitions for the first time since 1991.
- Bayern Munich are eight points off the top spot in the Bundesliga. No team in the German top flight has bridged a eight point gap post matchday 22.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
The English skipper has been one of the few success stories at the Allianz Arena this season and will once again be the focal point of the attack on the night.
Kane continues to bang in the goals but failed to convert a gilt edged chance late on to secure a point against Vfl Bochum. He will be keen to make amends and should be fired up for the game. As a player who appears to be in Tuchel’s corner, Kane will have enough motivation to help the German tactician out of this mess.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 2-2 RB Leipzig
Bayern Munich are the top scorers in the Bundesliga this season, while RB Leipzig are the fourth best in the category. There should be no shortage of goals in a game where both sides need three points to forward their targets for the season.
Allianz Arena should be electric in what could prove to be a defining game for either club this season. Leipzig have had Bayern Munich’s number of late and could once again force them to settle for a point.
