Back at the top of the Bundesliga standings, Bayern Munich are looking to move one step closer to DFB-Pokal glory when they face Freiburg in the quarterfinals of the German Cup.
Bayern Munich have reclaimed the top spot in the Bundesliga standings with a statement 4-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the latest edition of Der Klassiker over the weekend, which allowed the Thomas Tuchel-led side to eclipse their rivals at the top of the table.
Tuchel, who took over from previous manager Julian Nagelsmann during the March international break, now hopes to win his first cup match as Bayern manager.
The reigning German champions were already in fine form in the last few weeks, winning five of their last six games. The team showed no signs of slowing down despite the managerial change that ended with Thomas Tuchel replacing Julian Nagelsmann.
Bayern will now turn their attention towards the DFB Pokal quarter-final against Freiburg before facing them again over the weekend in the Bundesliga before travelling to England for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
Although the DFB-Pokal (with the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League the bigger fish to fry) is not their primary focus, Bayern Munich gave close attention to it this season, having last won this competition in 2020, which is totally fine for any other team but is a drought for them, and there is no doubt that they will want to bring it back to their trophy showcase.
As for Freiburg, the Fuggerstadt nervously sits fourth in the table with just two points separating themselves from seventh place. But they can’t afford to take their eyes off the ball anytime soon, as Christian Streich’s side have a brutal final four games against RB Leipzig, Union Berlin, VfL Wolfsburg, and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Furthermore, their recent form has been distinctly poor, with only one win in their last seven matches across all competitions, including being eliminated from the Europa League heftily at the hands of Juventus over the two legs and playing out back-to-back draws in league action.
They need to get back on track sooner rather than later, or their top-four bid will fall apart in a matter of weeks despite being there or thereabouts all season.
The last time these two met, Bayern Munich made light work of Freiburg with a comfortable 5-0 victory. The visitors will look to avoid crumbling in the same way at the Allianz Arena. The Hard Tackle looks at how both teams could line up and what tactics they might employ on Saturday.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
“If you could take on another player’s ability, which one would it be?” 🤔
The full Q&A 👉 https://t.co/CQFDyFnkbo#MiaSanMia @esmuellert_ pic.twitter.com/dTIZCZjZIX
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) April 3, 2023
Mathys Tel will miss the game against Dortmund after picking up an injury during the international break. He is set to be out for two to three weeks. Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer are long-term absentees for Rekordmeister.
While Bayern Munich absolutely dismantled Dortmund, the German coach was not pleased with the way his team conceded two goals in the last quarter of the game, but that should not be detrimental to the goals scored by the team. Tuchel will be aiming to make Die Roten more solid defensively ahead of big games in the Bundesliga and cup competitions.
Tuchel surprised everyone by using the back four instead of his favoured back three against Dortmund, which becomes a 2-3-5 when in possession, with Benjamin Pavard and Alphonso Davies inverting as central midfielders on a few occasions. However, expect him to test his squad quality in this game with some healthy rotation.
Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt should continue their partnership at the heart of Bayern’s defence, with Yann Sommer trusted as the last line of defence. Joao Cancelo and Alphonso Davies will occupy the full-back positions, with the former handed the chance to impress in place of Pavard here.
Tuchel was full of praise for Joshua Kimmich in his interviews. He is likely to be one of the key players for the German coach. Kimmich is expected to start in the number six role against Dortmund.
After reports surfaced that Tuchel has blocked Liverpool’s approach for Ryan Graverberch, the Dutch maestro could step in to partner Kimmich in the centre of the park ahead of Leon Goretzka.
Kingsley Coman has been one of the most consistent players for Bayern, having improved his final product, and his defensive output is second to none. However, Serge Gnabry could get a run out here on the right flank. The same goes for Sadio Mane, who will replace Leroy Sane on the opposite wing, with Thomas Muller enjoying his new No. 10 role.
Choupo-Moting has scored in four out of his last five outings for Bayern, and even though he was not among the goals in the victory over Dortmund, there may not be a change up top.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Cancelo, Upamecano, de Ligt, Davies; Gravenberch, Kimmich; Gnabry, Muller, Mane; Choupo-Moting
Freiburg
Abfahrt! 🔜 Viertelfinale! pic.twitter.com/y9UNghfvFc
— SC Freiburg (@scfreiburg) April 3, 2023
Freiburg boss Christian Streich will travel to Munich without the services of defender Philipp Lienhart (hip) and long-term absentee Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (ACL), as the duo are still recovering from injuries.
They look set to start in their 3-4-2-1 system. Mark Flekken is the automatic starter in goal, with Lukas Kubler, Matthias Ginter, and Manuel Gulde forming a back three in front of him. Kiliann Sildillia and Christian Gunter will have a tough job as Bayern does have a number of dangerous attackers down the flanks.
The midfield duo of Maximilian Eggestein and Nicolas Hofler will look to block the midfield passing lanes for Muller and Co. to exploit and make life tough for their midfield counterparts.
Michael Gregoritsch, who missed the weekend clash with Hertha due to suspension, is expected to return to the offensive line on Tuesday. As usual, his company in the attack will be Vincenzo Grifo and Ritsu Doan.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Kubler, Ginter, Gulde; Sildillia, Eggestein, Hofler, Gunter; Doan, Grifo; Gregoritsch
Key Stats
- Bayern Munich are unbeaten in their 18 home games this season.
- While Tuchel will make Bayern more resolute with time, the Bavarians remain porous in recent games and have shipped at least two goals in each of their last three games.
- Bayern has scored at least two goals in nine of their previous 11 competitive games.
- The Bavarians have lifted the domestic cup trophy on a record 20 occasions, which is 14 times more than second-place Werder Bremen.
- Freiburg will head into this game without a win in their last 13 meetings with the Bavarians.
Player to Watch
Thomas Muller
Muller had a rocky start to 2023. The German forward lost his starting spot for lack of form and fitness. He came off the bench in the Champions League game against PSG in Paris and was replaced early in the game against Gladbach after Bayern went down a man early on. The veteran needed a big display to rekindle his form, and he got it against Bayern’s archrivals, Borussia Dortmund, on Saturday.
Tactically, Muller is a perfect player for Tuchel. The 33-year-old forward was deployed in the No. 10 position against Dortmund, and he was relentless on and off the ball. The German international was in the right place in the box to score two important goals, and he will be hoping to build on this performance and go on a strong run between now and the end of the season.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 2-0 Freiburg
Bayern did not wait until the end of the season to appoint Thomas Tuchel as the club’s new manager for no reason. They wanted to give themselves the best chance to win everything this season, and the former Dortmund boss highlighted that he wants to win all the trophies, and that will start with just three games before the DFB Pokal triumph.
The Bavarians will be in buoyant spirits after knocking Dortmund off the top position with a 4-2 victory in the league, and they will be able to translate that confidence into another strong performance here against an out-of-form Freiburg side.
