How can Bayern Munich lineup in midfield without Joshua Kimmich? | OneFootball

On Sunday afternoon in the win over Eintracht Frankfurt at home, Joshua Kimmich missed his first minutes of the season in Bayern Munich colours, picking up an injury just before half-time. Prior to the injury, he had played every minute in the Bundesliga, Champions League, and DFB Pokal - whilst playing 478 out of 540 minutes for Germany in their nations league campaign too. Injury to Kimmich looked inevitable.

There were definitely opportunities to manage his minutes in hammerings of Dinamo Zagreb, RB Leipzig, and Hoffenheim. Nevertheless, Bayern managed things well in his absence on Sunday, and it does look like he will not be out for long.

Having said that, even if he just misses the game against VFB Stuttgart on Friday evening, a different midfield combination will have to start. So what does Vincent Kompany do?

How Bayern Munich should manage the minor injury ofJoshua Kimmich

Die Roten have more options available in midfield than had this happened even a couple of weeks ago. The returns of Alphonso Davies and Sacha Boey mean that Raphael Guerreiro and Konrad Laimer can become options for the midfield again.

Moreover, Kompany has Joao Palhinha, Leon Gorezka, and Aleksandar Pavlovic fit and ready for Friday's game. However, worth mentioning that, as per BILD via iMiaSanMia, the latter did not train on Wednesday.

In an ideal world, the 20-year-old will be available for selection on Friday. Nothing against either player, but you worry about a midfield two of Palhinha and Goretzka on the ball. Having one of them next to Pavlovic gives a good balance.

As a result, playing Guerreiro in midfield with either Palhinha or Goretzka could be the wise decision from Kompany if Pavlovic is not fit enough to start the game. During the 22/23 season, the Portuguese international was in the Bundesliga team of the season for his excellent midfield performances at Borussia Dortmund.

So, who would you partner him with? Having the steel of Palhinha, a natural defensive midfielder and elite ball winner in there could help free him up, but is that an athletic enough pairing? However, is a pairing of Guerreiro and Goretzka defensively sound enough?

Still, the latter does at least bring some athleticism. Furthermore, the Portuguese international is a goal threat - something that, despite Sunday's win - has been an issue for Bayern this season. They have often created chances at will, without finding the back of the net.