Bayern Munich vs Lokomitiv Moscow: Lineups, team news, the return of Alphonso Davies, Lewy injured, and more! (Updated)

Saying “THE CHAMPIOOOONS” doesn’t have the same effect when the group stage is effectively over. Bayern Munich face Lokomtiv Moscow in a game that is largely a formality for both teams, as neither have anything big to play for. The only thing at stake tomorrow is Bayern’s Champions League unbeaten streak, which stands at a staggering 16 games. Hansi will want that to continue, but with a tough game against Union Berlin on Saturday, he’ll want to rest some starters as well.

Team news

While Joshua Kimmich and Corentin Tolisso continue to work on their comebacks, the good news is that Alphonso Davies is back on the squad tomorrow. Hansi refused to confirm whether he would start, but the Canadian is set to play for sure. Javi Martinez, meanwhile, is out with a groin injury, but the team has enough defensive mids to bear the brunt of his absence.

Given the necessity of rotation, no one except Hansi himself can know that the lineup will be tomorrow. Still, I’ll give it my best shot. Robert Lewandowski Choupo-Moting and Thomas Muller are most likely to start up top, supported by a wing pairing of Douglas Costa and Serge Gnabry (neither of whom started in midweek). This should give Bayern plenty of firepower to knock Moscow over — unless the team has an uncharacteristically bad day at the office.

In midfield, I’m gonna take a risk and say that Jamal Musiala will start along side Marc Roca, making the lineup more of a 4-1-4-1 than the 4-2-3-1 we’re used to. Leon Goretzka could really use some rest, so there’s no point risking him in a game that doesn’t matter. Flick mentioned Angelo Still and Maximillian Zaiser as options as well, but they’re likely to be substitute players at best.

Predicting the defense right now is totally impossible. Alphonso Davies is unlikely start so soon after coming back from injury, so expect to see Lucas Hernandez in his place. David Alaba and Niklas Sule are decent options at center back, while Chris Richards could finally come in for Bejmamin Pavard at right-back. That’s what we hope for, anyway. Given how disappointing the defense has been, fans want Hansi to try out more young players in an effort to give the starters some breathing room.

Anyway, if worst comes to worst, we still have Manuel Neuer. With all that in mind, here’s how we think Bayern Munich will line up tomorrow:

Update

Big news, Robert Lewandowski will not feature against Lokomotiv. Per a new report, he will be rested on Wednesday as he recovers from a minor injury. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will presumably start in his place.