Before the classic in Dortmund: Bayern have three personnel issues | OneFootball

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany has three tricky personnel issues to resolve ahead of the Bundesliga classic against Borussia Dortmund next Saturday

FC Bayern will travel to Dortmund with a broad chest. A win at Signal Iduna Park could at least give the Munich side an early lead in the championship. With an eight-point lead and a training-intensive week without international commitments, the starting position is in favour of Vincent Kompany’s team. While BVB still have to play in the Champions League play-off in Bergamo on Wednesday evening, the record champions have been able to regenerate and make adjustments

„We go into every game as favourites, including next week,“ said Joshua Kimmich confidently. And Aleksandar Pavlovic demanded that the team perform the same way they did in the first half against Frankfurt for the entire match. But despite all the determination, three personnel question marks remain ahead of the summit

Goalkeeper question: Neuer or Urbig?

photo: IMAGO

After tearing a muscle fibre in his calf, Manuel Neuer was back on the training pitch at the start of the week. It remains to be seen whether he will be ready for Saturday. Substitute Jonas Urbig did a decent job against Frankfurt, but did not look completely determined before the 2:3. Neuer’s experience could be worth its weight in gold in an emotionally charged classic. The 39-year-old has played in countless duels in Dortmund – and often performed at the highest level. The decision is likely to be made shortly before kick-off

It will also be exciting to see who will play on the left side of defence in Dortmund. Alphonso Davies will be out for weeks with a torn muscle fibre in his right rear thigh. The Canadian will therefore not only miss the classic, but is also likely to miss the Champions League round of 16. Kompany will have to improvise. Hiroki Ito and Josip Stanisic are considered obvious options for the left side of defence. Raphael Guerreiro or even Tom Bischof would be more offensive options. Konrad Laimer, who has been rested recently, is likely to defend on the right – but could also help out on the left in an emergency. Flexibility is required

Who will take on the playmaker role?

photo: IMAGO

Jamal Musiala was back in the starting eleven for the first time against Frankfurt and showed improving form. „I have to get back into the rhythm,“ he said after 78 minutes of play. Kompany stressed, however, that he did not want to put too much pressure on the 22-year-old just yet. In view of his current form, there is a strong case for Serge Gnabry as a starter in the attacking center, flanked by Luis Díaz and Michael Olise. Musiala and youngster Lennart Karl could provide impetus as a wild card

One thing is clear: apart from Neuer and Davies, Kompany can draw on a full complement of players and is therefore spoiled for choice.