Bayern Munich will continue their Bundesliga campaign with a trip to newly promoted Holstein Kiel this weekend.
Top-flight football is a challenging prospect for newly promoted sides, let alone for teams playing here for the first time in their history. Such has been the case with Holstein Kiel, who are embarking on their first-ever Bundesliga campaign and have yet to score their first points ahead of the visit of Bayern Munich.
After an opening-day defeat in an entertaining game against TSG Hoffenheim, Holstein Kiel suffered the second straight loss against VfL Wolfsburg before the international break. Manager Marcel Rapp will have taken plenty of positives from both those encounters, as the team did seem to have a fighting spirit in them and could be an entertaining packhae as the campaign progresses.
However, Holstein Kiel now face the most challenging encounter in their short time in the top flight of German football, as Bayern Munich visits the Holstein-Stadion this weekend. This is by far their biggest test, and it will likely prepare them for some of the subsequent encounters, regardless of whether they win or lose.
Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany will have received some form of encouragement from his players, having managed to triumph in his opening Bundesliga encounters. However, the Belgian tactician will have concerns about how his team is currently performing on both ends of the pitch.
Bayern Munich have not created many chances, and some may suggest that they might have gotten lucky in both of their wins. While the six points were more important in the context of how the season has started, Kompany will aim for more improvement in the team’s performances.
After an opening weekend win over Wolfsburg with a 3-2 scoreline, Bayern managed to overcome SC Freiburg. A Harry Kane penalty in the first half allowed the Bavarians to take the lead and left it until the 78th minute to double their advantage after a Thomas Muller goal, which sealed the three points. The Holsteil Kiel clash does provide a significant opportunity for Kompany to fine-tune his side ahead of some crunch encounters.
Team News & Tactics
Holstein Kiel
Marcel Rapp does have a few concerns about his squad ahead of this monumental clash with Bayern Munich. Defender Colin Noah Kleine-Bekel is out of the contest with a knee injury, while attacker Steven Skrzybski is a significant doubt, which could see him miss out as well.
Beyond that, there are some minor doubts about defender Carl Johansson. However, he will be expected to start in a back three involving Patrick Erras and Marco Komenda, with Timon Weiner stationed between the sticks for Holstein Kiel.
Finn Porath and Alexander Bernhardsson are the preferred wingbacks for Rapp’s system, with Nicolai Remberg and Magnus Knudsen the likely choices to play in the middle of the park for Holstein Kiel.
Lewis Holtby will play in that advanced midfield role behind the front two. Shuto Machino and Benedikt Pichler are the expected front two for Rapp’s side, as they will hope to get the chance to trouble the Bayern Munich defence.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Weiner; Johansson, Erras, Komenda; Porath, Remberg, Knudsen, Bernhardsson; Holtby; Machino, Pichler
Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany will have to deal with a few injury-enforced absentees ahead of this visit to Holstein Kiel. Summer signing Hiroki Ito remains sidelined with a broken foot and will miss many games until he returns to the first-team squad.
Leroy Sane has been progressing well in his recovery from a groin problem as he nears a return to action. However, the weekend’s clash will be too soon for Kompany to throw the winger into the mix, as he does have plenty of other options to use in this clash.
Tarek Buchmann is another one who is missing from action as well as goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. At the same time, Josip Stanisic and Arijon Ibrahimovic are also ruled out of action for this game. Kompany will persist with the same back four that played against Freiburg,
Alexander Pavlovic could once again see himself alone in the holding midfield role, as Kompany could pack a four-man unit behind striker Kane. Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise could be used in an inside role, while Serge Gnabry and Mathys Tel will hold the width in this setup.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Pavlovic; Gnabry, Olise, Musiala, Tel; Kane
Key Stats
- Holstein Kiel have failed to win their last three competitive home matches.
- Holstein Kiel have yet to register a point in their first-ever Bundesliga campaign.
- Bayern Munich have scored at least two goals in eight of their last nine matches in the Bundesliga.
- Bayern Munich have only three wins in their last nine away games in the Bundesliga.
- Bayern Munich have won six of their last eight Bundesliga games, conceding 11 goals in the process.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
Coming on the back of a momentous 100th cap for England, Harry Kane finished the international break with a stunning break against Finland. The striker has begun the new Bundesliga season in the way he ended the previous one, as he opened his account for the new campaign against SC Freiburg.
Vincent Kompany will want his central striker fit and firing on all cylinders this season, as Bayern Munich will aim to reclaim the Bundesliga and do wonders in Europe. Hence, Kane has to perform at the highest possible level and begin a run of sorts against newcomers Holstein Kiel at the weekend.
Prediction
Holstein Kiel 1-4 Bayern Munich
Holstein Kiel performed well in the opening game of their first-ever Bundesliga campaign and received praise despite losing both clashes. Whether they can take a step further and cause an upset against Bayern Munich remains to be seen. Still, one could expect an entertaining display from Marcel Rapp’s men.
Unfortunately for Holstein Kiel, Bayern Munich are only warming up and could pick up form along the way. Having won the opening two games of Vincent Kompany’s reign, the Belgian manager will hope to get the team firing on all cylinders, as he will want astute defending and plenty of goals.
Hence, there is no doubt that Bayern Munich will come out on top, although they tend to concede that odd goal in the process. The Hard Tackle predicts a run-of-the-mill 4-1 win for Kompany and his charges this weekend.
