The Bundesliga season kicks off in Munich as FC Bayern faces their long-standing rival, VfL Wolfsburg. Historically, Bayern holds a dominant record against the Wolves, remaining undefeated in their last 22 competitive matches with an impressive goal difference. However, for this opening fixture, manager Vincent Kompany has made significant adjustments to the starting lineup, signaling a strategic shift for the new year.
One of the notable absences is superstar midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who is still recovering from ankle issues and will not be available for selection. This opens up a spot in the central midfield, with Bischof stepping into the starting eleven to partner Aleksandar Pavlović in a double pivot. In a surprising move, Leon Goretzka has been placed on the bench, and Serge Gnabry will also begin the match as a substitute, indicating Kompany’s faith in other players to start.
Featured snippet paragraph: What is the main reason for Bayern’s lineup changes against Wolfsburg? Manager Vincent Kompany is making four positional adjustments due to Joshua Kimmich’s ankle injury and strategic decisions regarding Goretzka and Gnabry, while Manuel Neuer returns in goal.
A change is also evident in goal, with Manuel Neuer making his return to the starting XI, pushing Jonas Urbig back to the substitute’s bench. These four alterations to the team, compared to the recent 4-0 victory over Heidenheim, highlight Kompany’s intent to test different combinations early in the season. Players like Raphaël Guerreiro and Hiroki Ito have also been rotated out of the starting lineup, making way for new faces.
Further details emerge regarding player availability. Both Alphonso Davies and Min-Jae Kim are not included in the squad for this match. Davies was sidelined due to illness earlier in the week. For Kim, initial uncertainties were present, but Kompany clarified the situation. He explained that Min-Jae felt a slight issue in training but assured it was not serious, and his absence today does not preclude his inclusion against Köln.
How to understand the significance of Bayern’s historical dominance over Wolfsburg? Bayern’s undefeated streak of 22 competitive matches against Wolfsburg, with a goal difference of 68:16, demonstrates a long-term psychological and tactical advantage that often influences match outcomes.
What is the tactical implication of Bischof starting in midfield? Bischof’s inclusion alongside Pavlović suggests Kompany is opting for a midfield pairing that offers a balance of defensive stability and passing ability, potentially to control the game’s tempo from the outset.
The starting lineup for FC Bayern is confirmed as: Neuer – Stanisic, Tah, Upamecano, Laimer – Pavlovic, Bischof – Diaz, Karl, Olise – Kane. This formation showcases a blend of experienced defenders and attacking talent, with Kane leading the line. The midfield pairing will be crucial in dictating the play against Wolfsburg’s setup.
VfL Wolfsburg is set to start with: Grabara – Kumbedi, Koulierakis, Jenz, Fischer – Svanberg, Arnold – Wimmer, Majer, Eriksen – Pejcinovic. Their lineup indicates a strong defensive structure with attacking threats from midfield and the forward line, aiming to disrupt Bayern’s rhythm.
Why is Leon Goretzka starting on the bench? While not explicitly stated as a punishment, Goretzka’s demotion to the bench suggests Kompany might be prioritizing different midfield dynamics or giving opportunities to other players to prove their worth, especially given Kimmich’s absence.
Is this a significant change for Bayern’s attack? The inclusion of players like Diaz, Karl, and Olise alongside Kane suggests Kompany is looking for dynamic and creative attacking play, aiming to exploit Wolfsburg’s defense through various channels.
What is the outlook for Bayern’s defense in this match? With Neuer returning in goal and a solid backline featuring Stanisic, Tah, Upamecano, and Laimer, Bayern appears to have a strong defensive foundation to build upon, aiming to prevent Wolfsburg from scoring.
How does Kompany’s approach differ from previous Bayern managers? Kompany’s willingness to rotate and make significant changes, even with key players absent or benched, indicates a modern management style focused on squad depth and adapting tactics based on opponent and player form.
What can be expected from Wolfsburg’s offensive strategy? Wolfsburg’s lineup, featuring players like Wimmer, Majer, and Eriksen in attacking roles, suggests they will look to counter-attack and utilize quick transitions to threaten Bayern’s goal, especially if Bayern pushes forward aggressively.
This match promises to be an intriguing start to the Bundesliga season, with Bayern looking to continue their dominance while navigating these lineup changes, and Wolfsburg aiming to cause an upset against their formidable opponents. The tactical decisions made by Vincent Kompany will be closely watched as the game unfolds.
