Surprise return: Bayern’s starting XI for the DFB-Pokal in Cologne | OneFootball

This Wednesday, at 8:45 p.m., FC Bayern Munich’s DFB-Pokal match will take place in Cologne. The record champions enter this duel with the cathedral city team boasting an impressive run of 13 wins in 13 games.

However, caution is advised, as Cologne may be a newly promoted team, but they have plenty of ways to cause problems for bigger opponents. For example, last weekend Effzeh only lost to Borussia Dortmund in the final minutes. So, it won’t be an easy game in the cup, which has already caused Bayern some difficulties in recent years.

The goal for Vincent Kompany’s team is clear: they must reach the round of 16. And unlike other tasks, this time it’s not so much about the “how”—progressing, ideally after 90 minutes, is what counts.

FC Bayern: How the next victory is supposed to be achieved

At the press conference before the match, Kompany also warned about today’s opponent. “They’ve done very well so far. Especially what they do in defense—with great urgency, I like how quickly they close down spaces to prevent shots and crosses. They’re also extremely dangerous on the counterattack,” said the head coach.

This means, in turn, that Bayern must approach the game with the necessary seriousness. That’s why no one expected any major experiments in the lineup. In the meantime, the official lineup has been announced by the coach.

Jonas Urbig will be in goal, which was already decided beforehand. Among other reasons, because Manuel Neuer is suspended. In the back four, Josip Stanisic starts, having just returned from injury. The fact that the Croatian is in the starting eleven so soon after his return is certainly surprising. Otherwise, Konrad Laimer, Jonathan Tah, and Dayot Upamecano complete the back four. It will be very interesting to see on which side Stanisic and Laimer play.

The central midfield consists of Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic. Ahead of them is the best possible line: Luis Diaz, Michael Olise, and Serge Gnabry. In the “number 9” role, of course, is Harry Kane. Even though everyone knows the Englishman likes to drop deep and initiate attacks from midfield. On the bench: Ulreich, Klanac – Kim, Goretzka, Bischof, Boey, Jackson, Mike, Karl.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.