Champions League
It could be tough for Kimmich: This is how Bayern want to survive against Lazio
Like the rest of FC Bayern, Joshua Kimmich is having a very fluctuating season
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At FC Bayern Munich, coach Thomas Tuchel has to make tricky personnel decisions against Lazio Rome. Is Joshua Kimmich playing? Is Leroy Sané fit enough? We take a look at the possible lineup for the most important game of the season so far.
Only the starting position is clear: FC Bayern has to beat Bayern by two goals in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 Lazio Rome win. Only then will they reach the quarter-finals and have the chance to save the season or give themselves a boost for the final sprint of the season. The first leg at the Stadio Olimpico ended in a 0-1 defeat.
Bayern can still win the championship title and take Europe’s crown. Theoretically. In practice, no one trusts them to do that. The truth is probably more that it’s about not letting the season end in a complete catastrophe with a possible premature dismissal of the coach. Lazio is a mediocre team, currently ranked 9th in Serie A. In their current state, Bayern would hardly have a chance against Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Thomas Tuchel has more options again
Thomas Tuchel has to find the right formation for this. In contrast to the past few weeks, the coach has several options again because the injury list is no longer as long. Kingsley Coman, who is recovering from a torn medial ligament in his left knee and will be out for some time, will still be sorely missed. Serge Gnabry is back in training after a long absence, but is only in the squad for the evening.
The most exciting personality concerns Joshua Kimmich. The national player has now been ordered back to the right wing position in the back four. But his form has recently shown a steep downward trend. Last Friday in the disappointing 2-2 draw in Freiburg, Tuchel took him off the field in the 64th minute after Kimmich had shown a poor performance. It is quite possible that Konrad Laimer, who replaced Kimmich, will start against Lazio. It would be the next low point this season for Kimmich.
On the left side of the back four, Tuchel has the choice between Raphael Guerreiro and Alphonso Davies. Matthijs de Ligt and Eric Dier will probably play centrally in defense. Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlovic will play in front of them. Thomas Müller will probably take over the headquarters, while Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané will probably take over the outside positions. The latter reported that he was somewhat fit again, although he still has problems with the patellar tendon and groin area. “He hasn’t played without pain for a long time,” said Tuchel. “I assume he can play.”
FC Bayern must avoid mistakes from the first leg
It will be important for Bayern not to repeat the mistakes from the first leg. They initially had the opponent firmly under control, but failed to score despite good opportunities. A stupid foul by Dayot Upamecano in the penalty area in the second half decided the game. Ciro Immobile converted the penalty to make it 1-0, Upamecano was sent off with a red card. Perhaps it is an advantage that the Frenchman, who has made many mistakes lately, is missing this time due to suspension.
With an early exit from the Champions League, the “season would end badly, very badly,” said supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Bayern recently failed in the quarter-finals three times in a row. The last time it ended in the round of 16 was in 2019, but that time it was against eventual winner Liverpool FC. Against Lazio Rome, in our own opinion, an exit would be much more embarrassing.
Sources: DPA,”Kicker”“Southgerman newspaper“, “Transfermarkt.de“