FC Bayern Munich hand in their business card to Hertha BSC on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3:30 p.m.). The old lady didn’t have much to say against the German record champions. The Munich team won the last five duels and scored 18 goals.
“We know the quality Munich bring,” said Hertha head coach Sandro Schwarz at the press conference on Thursday. “We have the utmost respect for these opponents, but I’m not a fan of taking on this underdog role.” It is important for his team to have a good mentality and to be able to perform well on the defensive and to be very aggressive and efficient. “My team’s attitude, commitment and willpower are outstanding,” praised the 44-year-old. “All in all we need a lot against these opponents: a favorable course of the game, luck and a very good goalkeeper”, the trainer is fully aware of the difficulty of the task.
Before the home game against FC Bayern, the club in the capital has four absentees with Jessic Ngankam (torn thigh muscle), Kelian Nsona (knee problems), Marton Dardai (shinitis) and Stevan Jovetic (torn hip flexor). With Wilfried Kanga, who struggled with a gastrointestinal infection during the week, Schwarz wants to wait for the final training session.
The absence of Jovetic could result in a system change (4-3-3 instead of 4-4-2). If Kanga gives the green light, he runs into the center of the attack. If the 24-year-old is absent, Xhidera Ejuke should move into the starting lineup and form the attacking line with Marco Richter and Dodi Lukebakio. Suat Serdar and Lucas Tousart are set in central midfield. Schwarz could muster Ivan Sunjic as a clearer in defensive midfield. Jonjoe Kenny, Agustin Rogel, Marc Oliver Kempf and captain Marvin Plattenhardt once again form the back four. As usual, Oliver Christensen is between the posts.
After seven competitive wins in a row, FC Bayern travels to the capital with confidence, where Julian Nagelsmann expects “wild Berliners – in a positive sense – they try to cause trouble. They want to come into play with a strong defense,” analyzed the Bavarian -Coach at the press talk on Friday afternoon. “I think Sandro Schwarz likes to bring a high intensity into the game, with chip balls, with a lot of staff in the center to go for the second ball and switch moments,” explained the 35-year-old trainer. “They will play like Augsburg, we have to prepare for that.”
Lucas Hernandez, Leroy Sané and probably Manuel Neuer will be back in the squad against Hertha BSC. “Manuel will come back and play if the final training session goes well. I assume so,” said Nagelsmann, who held out the prospect of Hernandez and Sané playing jokers. The Bayern coach has to do without Matthijs de Ligt (knee problems), Bouna Sarr (knee -OP) and Thomas Müller (muscular problems). “Hopefully Thomas can get back on board next week,” said the native of Landsberg.
If there are no problems for captain Neuer after the final training session, he will celebrate his comeback on Saturday afternoon. Noussair Mazraoui, Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano and Alphonso Davies are expected to form the back four. After his break in the Champions League, Leon Goretzka returns to the starting eleven and starts in central midfield alongside Joshua Kimmich. The tenth position is reserved for Jamal Musiala. In addition to the youngster, Serge Gnabry should also be part of the starting line-up again. If the international plays as a right winger, Sadio Mané and Kingsley Coman are available for the other side. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting takes the place in the center of attack.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as lineups: Hertha BSC vs. FC Bayern Munich – how they could play.
