FanPost

The mega squad analysis of Bayern for the '18-19 season.

Cheers, Schnitzel01! - Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Now, this is something y'all must've been eagerly waiting for.

The long wait for club football fans is finally over. The Bundesliga is all set for the fireworks in what could be another stellar season. We as Bayern fans, will be rearing for our club to go all guns blazing on all three fronts, and any fan of a club with so mighty a roster is entitled to. Niko Kovac has an embarrassment of riches (especially with our current midfield situation, which is a total embarrassment, pardon the pun) including a cohort of seasoned veterans and a plethora of youngsters as hungry as ever to perform for their club on the big stages. This could certainly even be a huge problem, if squad rotation isn't done properly (cough, Ancelotti, cough) and could end up with locker room issues and dissatisfaction. So how can Kovac handle both the pressure from the players and the demanding matchup schedules, as well as the huge task that comes with managing Bayern (winning the treble, of course!)? Well, fear not because BFW is here to help with the "mega squad analysis". BA DUM TSS!

For ease of understanding and a systematic approach, I will look at the Bundesliga scenario first, followed by the DFB cup and finally, the CL. The focus will only be on the main squad members and the subs that make the current roster. The U-23s are complete surprises, and they mostly won't be seeing a lot of the pitch given the already overcrowded roster.

The Bundesliga

We, as Bayern fans, have been treated to league wins by our club for 6 consecutive seasons now, so unless something goes terribly wrong, we should be the obvious favourites to repeat the feat. Squad rotation is thus a viable option and we can make sure we have our players regularly rested for tougher match-ups ahead. Kovac can use his league games to experiment with lineups and give the U-23 youngsters a chance.

Starting at the GK spot, Neuer should start most games when fit. We can also experiment giving steady game time to Früchtl, to see how the budding talent develops, and increase his confidence. Ulreich doesn't look like a long term replacement to me, so we can give him time to give Manu rest. Neuer IS the best goalkeeper in the whole goddamn world, so he needs to stay fresh and ready if we are to win anything this season.

In defence, if we adopt a conventional back 4 as has been the case so far, I see Alaba and Kimmich starting when fit, but here the rotation could be with Rudy and/or Rafinha. The latter is better suited to RB imo, so we can see how Rudy plays at the LB position to relieve stress on the midfield logjam. The two other spots? Well, rotate between Süle, Boateng, Hummels and give Mai some time, but make sure Süle is ready for the big games because he is ready to carry the torch forward. What if we choose a back 3 with wing backs instead? In the BL, it is suicide to go with all of Hummels, Boa and Süle in one game, so I say, play Mai with Süle and Hummels/Boateng. That way Süle can rectify errors possible errors with his pace and physicality. Kimmich and Alaba would be the obvious choices for wing backs, but if we want a more offensive approach, we can always call in the services of Coman and Gnabry who will ably take the wings forward with pace.

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Enjoy this outrageous tackle by our very own big boy, Niklas Süle!

Now, the midfield. The situation, now that we're taking a close analysis, is a maddening one. Personally, James is crucial for any big games we have this season and so giving him rest is a priority. Thiago is another valuable asset that we cannot afford to lose to injury during a BL game. I see Rudy leaving the club soon, and I personally feel Martinez should follow soon after, since he's at the wrong side of 30 and only getting slower by the year. True, we lose our "defensive shield" but we cannot bench players like Tolisso and Goretzka at his expense. Kovac could give Renato Sanches consistent playing time to boost his confidence, while a Goretzka - Tolisso pairing seems to delicious to ignore. Goretzka seems like he needs to gain a bit more confidence, which he will with game time. Tolisso is a star in the making. They could be paired together frequently, and with one of Thiago/James every match day. Heck, I even say, why not have two fresh midfields ready? A Thiago-Goretzka-Sanches combo, and a James-Thiago/Goretzka-Tolisso combo? Their chemistry will get better that way, surely. Thomas Mueller will not be discussed now. He will have a special section for himself later.

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Taking this as an excuse to show how lethal Goretzka can be when played higher up.

The wide positions next. Robben and Ribery could definitely be given their game time. If we were to win the treble this season, they should feel like they contributed, and letting them play league games often is the least we could do for them before they retire happily. Coman and Gnabry look like a very fiery pairing on field and have already started showing signs of good chemistry, so we could play them every other game, or as super subs. When Davies joins in winter, we could integrate him slowly into the starting lineup too, if we start having performance issues from Gnabry, which I doubt we will. Shabani and Evina could be given time as subs, too, if we do get the chance. Developing youngsters so they integrate more seamlessly could help Bayern in the future. Having a player also helps when (not if, but when) our wingers get injured. He can be great in the role, sending in teasing crosses and quality passes to tee up his mates. This has been analysed by INNN in a previous article.

Finally, the hitman. The big pole is always ready and raring to go. I say, we let Lewa start most games to keep his goal-scoring form going at the phenomenal rate it is, and give him the chance to break more records. We can always sub in Wagner when we're winning a game, when we need goals, or simply to give him rest. Before CL games though, Wagner should definitely start in BL games. Both are amazing at their job, so nothing much to add on here.

The enigma - Thomas Muller. This man. Well, to make a long story short, do we play him as CAM, as a winger (pardon me, I shouldn't even have asked that), as a striker, as a secondary striker or just not play him as much as last season? In my opinion, he is best utilised as a secondary striker behind Lewandowski and most lethal when allowed to roam freely. I say, keep him fresh for the CL, but do give him his share of BL playing time because a productive Muller means a productive Bayern. Let's hope for a lethal season from our very own Bavarian golden boy.

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In the above goal against Barcelona during the CL 2012-13, we can see how Muller catches them entirely off guard with his ghosting run into the box after which he heads in a crucial goal.

That pretty much sums up the BL.

The Champions league and DFB Pokal

Now, coming to the big and bad cup competitions. We saw against Drochtersen-Assel that there is absolutely no room for complacency. For me at the moment, in crucial games in big cup competitions, especially the Champions league, there are a few players who are absolutely indispensable. Neuer should obviously be the undisputed starter in goal, period.

Our full backs will be Alaba and Kimmich, and based on performances in big matches before, Hummels should be a guaranteed starter (but this depends more on the form of Süle and Boateng, and whether Hummels continues his incredible form).

In midfield, one thing is certain - James will start. He just possesses too much quality to ever be benched in an important CL game. I would love to say the same for Thiago, except he is very injury prone and this could take a toll on his form. Also, depending on how Tolisso and Goretzka play this season, either one of them could comfortably start too.

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Enjoy this masterpiece finish from our midfield magician, James.

Our wing positions are where there is a bit more uncertainty, since it seems to be the one position that the injury gods love to zap. If fit, Coman should and will definitely start. His blistering pace and goal-scoring ability will leave defenders burnt and smokin'. The other wing position is more uncertain. One could argue that Robben's experience and goal-scoring ability will be needed, but Gnabry is more pacey and at the moment, better in 1v1 situations. Davies could be our starter too, since he definitely has the potential. We could have Robben and Ribery as super subs and start with two of Coman, Gnabry and Davies. This really is up to Kovac to decide. Deep inside though, I would love to see Davies mature to become a world beater.

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Davies messin' around with defenders.

Up front, Lewandowski is another guaranteed starter, whose prolific nature in front of goal is unparalleled. I would prefer Mueller behind him (he deserves a starting spot in all cup games), but Kovac could opt for James as a CAM and two CM's behind him - ideally, two of Thiago, Goretzka and Tolisso. If our Raumdeuter gets to his best form before the big games though, there is no denying his abilities and he should slot right in. His experience, combined with his 'phantom-like' abilities make him indispensable.

Side note - I personally think Robben and Ribery deserve nothing less than a fairy-tale CL win send-off to cap their wonderful service to Bayern over the years. So, if we can afford to give them a minutes in DFB cup and CL games, we really should. The minimum should be substantial game time in the Bundesliga. That way, we keep them happy, and rest out the younger wingers - Gnabry, Coman, etc.

About Sanches, there is absolutely no doubt over his potential. If Kovac can bring out the best in him, he could be even better than the 2016 form that attracted all the top clubs. At the same time, we cannot be satisfied with just 'potential'. He does need to step up and prove his worth, and I back him to do just that. In this analysis, it was hard to cover him due to just how densely the Bayern midfield is stacked at the moment. Right now, I would put Tolisso and Goretzka at a higher preference, but who knows? Sanches could prove us all wrong with his performances this season.

Do you agree? What would be your preferred lineups for an ideal treble-ready Bayern side? Feel free to comment below!

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