How Bayern Munich Will Line Up Against Manchester United
Bayern Munich host Manchester United on Wednesday in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinals tie.
Although heavily favored to hammer their hosts, the reigning European and World champions were held to a rather disappointing draw in the first leg, with Nemanja Vidic's shock opener canceled by Bastian Schweinsteiger's volley.
At the halfway point in the tie, Bayern are on their way to the semifinals on away goals, but the German giants will want a better result at home and will be wary of the fact that United are potentially just one goal away from progressing.
Pep Guardiola will welcome back Dante from suspension and in any case will have to make at least one change to his lineup, with Schweinsteiger suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.
Here's the most likely XI the Spanish trainer will employ against United:
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
With backups Tom Starke and Lukas Raeder, as well as reserve goalkeeper Andreas Roessl all injured, Bayern are short of goalkeeping options. But the important fact is that their No. 1, Manuel Neuer, is fit and eligible to face United. The club will have to be very, very careful to ensure the Germany international is fit to play on Wednesday, lest they be forced to give 19-year-old backup reserve Leopold Zingerle a baptism by fire.
Right-Back: Rafinha
With Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez suspended, Thiago injured, the most likely scenario against United is that Philipp Lahm plays in midfield with Rafinha occupying the captain's natural role on the right of defense.
Centre-Back: Jerome Boateng
Jerome Boateng started in Manchester and was rested as Guardiola fielded a reserve XI over the weekend. Boateng has started nearly every Champions League match for which he was eligible to play this year, and therefore, he can be expected to start in the second leg.
Centre-Back: Dante
Centre-back Dante is eligible to play once more following a suspension for the second leg of the round of 16. The Brazilian was rested over the weekend, suggesting that he will take the place of Martinez, who struggled in the first leg against United and might not have started even if he were eligible.
Left-Back: David Alaba
One of the few certainties in Bayern's lineup all season, David Alaba will undoubtedly start against United on the left of defense. The 21-year-old was rested over the weekend as fellow Austria international Ylli Sallahi made his professional debut, so Alaba will be fresh and ready for the challenge that awaits on Wednesday.
Defensive Midfield: Philipp Lahm
Considered by many to be the best right-back in the world, Lahm will likely start in midfield on Wednesday. The captain has been preferred in midfield for most of the season anyway, and given Schweinsteiger's suspension and Thiago's injury, there are few options for Guardiola other than to field Lahm in a holding role.
Right Midfield: Arjen Robben
Although unable to score, Arjen Robben was perhaps Bayern's most dangerous player in Manchester last week. He was not in Bayern's lineup against Augsburg over the weekend, but that was not due to any kind of injury. Having had a week to train and physically and mentally recover, he'll be raring to make his impression felt at the Allianz Arena.
Centre Midfield: Mario Goetze
Mario Goetze was omitted from Bayern's lineup in Manchester, and the Bavarians seemed to struggle to create in the centre of attack. Schweinsteiger, Lahm and Toni Kroos were capable of pinging the ball around midfield, but none offered much drive into the attacking third. Goetze has that ability, and after playing for 45 minutes over the weekend, he is fresh and ready to start again.
Centre Midfield: Toni Kroos
When Thiago was fit, he and Kroos were often rotated in Guardiola's lineup, but the Spaniard's injury has left the German decidedly first choice. Kroos has started six of Bayern's last seven Bundesliga fixtures and is sure to get the nod on Wednesday.
Left Midfield: Franck Ribery
Like Alaba, fellow left-sided player Franck Ribery is one of the few Bayern players whose starting role and position have been secure throughout Guardiola's time as head coach. Even as he has just celebrated his 31st birthday, the French winger remains Bayern's most dangerous player and main source of inspiration in the attacking third.
Forward: Mario Mandzukic
Last week, Thomas Mueller started in the centre of the Bayern attack but was unable to use his pace to get behind the deep-playing United defense. He physically couldn't compete with Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.
The game was crying out for the athletically imposing Mario Mandzukic, whose introduction resulted in a game-changing moment after just four minutes as the Croat headed down a cross from Schweinsteiger to equalize. Guardiola should have learned his lesson last week and will likely start Mandzukic in attack.
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