Bayern Munich's Cup Opener: Lineup, Injury News and More

Bayern Munich are ready to kick off the new season, having concluded their pre-season campaign undefeated. The first test will be against SSV Ulm, a 2. Bundesliga side, in the opening round of the DFB-Pokal. Ulm, although yet to register a win in the second tier this season, could prove a tricky opponent thanks to their extra preparation for the cup tie.

Team News

Bayern are almost at full strength following the arrival of Michael Olise, but several key players remain unavailable. Leroy Sané and Sacha Boey are sidelined with injuries, while new signings Harry Kane, João Palhinha and Alphonso Davies are still not ready for a full 90 minutes, according to manager Vincent Kompany. This means Kompany will need to field a slightly weaker side than his ideal XI, likely resembling the team that faced Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday.

Potential Starting XI

Mathys Tel and Serge Gnabry have been consistent performers throughout pre-season, so they could start up front. Thomas Müller and Jamal Musiala are also strong contenders to join them in attack, as Kane is unlikely to start following a 45-minute appearance against WSG Tirol on Tuesday. However, the Englishman will be available from the bench if needed.

In midfield, Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović are the most probable pairing at this stage of the season. João Palhinha has impressed in limited game time but is not yet fit enough to start and play the full game. Konrad Laimer is unlikely to start against a defensively-minded Ulm, while Leon Goretzka is currently not in Kompany's plans.

At the back, Kompany may opt for a cautious approach, pairing Eric Dier with Dayot Upamecano. Kim Min-jae, while talented, is considered too aggressive for this matchup, while Dier's positional discipline offers a better fit. Raphaël Guerreiro is likely to start ahead of Alphonso Davies at left-back, while Josip Stanišić will start on the right following Noussair Mazraoui's departure.

With Manuel Neuer between the sticks, here's a potential starting XI for Bayern:

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer

Defence: Josip Stanišić, Dayot Upamecano, Eric Dier, Raphaël Guerreiro

Midfield: Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlović

Attack: Mathys Tel, Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller, Jamal Musiala

Looking for a deeper dive into the match?

Check out our latest podcast for an in-depth preview of the game! Listen below or on Spotify.

We appreciate your continued support!