Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid.
Kick Off: 20/07/2019
Time: 1:00am
Stadium:
GOAL SCORERS:
C. Tolisso 15 Minute Goal, R, Lewandoski 67 Minute Goal, Gnabry 69 Minute Goal, Rodrygo 84 Miute Goal.
S. Ulreich Red Card 81 Minute
Bayern Munich
As mentioned, this contest might be Madrid’s first fixture of the summer, but Bayern were in action against Arsenal in the International Champions Cup on Wednesday night. Robert Lewandowski was on the scoresheet for the German champions at the Dignity Health Sports Park in California. However, a late goal from Eddie Nketiah saw the Gunners pick up a 2-1 win.
Los Blancos are sure to provide more tough competition for Bayern, who will also take on AC Milan in the International Champions.
Niko Kovac’s side will then face Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup on August 3 ahead of a DFB-Pokal clash against Energie Cottbus on August 12. Bayern will open their Bundesliga title defence at home to Hertha Berlin on August 16 and will be determined to make a strong start to the campaign.
Indeed, the departures of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben have left the team short in the wide positions. Leroy Sane has been linked with a move to the Allianz Arena, but it has recently been reported that Bayern are unlikely to complete a deal for the Manchester City winger ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.
It is performances and not results that matter most at this stage of the preparations, but having lost against Arsenal in their first International Champions Cup fixture of the summer, the Bavarians will be keen to pick up a positive result against Zinedine Zidane’s side.
Recent form: WDWWDL
Real Madrid
There is a serious rebuilding job underway at the Bernabeu with Los Blancos spending big to bring Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy to the club in this summer’s transfer window. Rodrygo Goes has also completed his move from Santos meaning that there is certainly a fresh look to the squad.
Mateo Kovacic, Marcos Llorente, Theo Hernandez and Raul de Tomas have all departed, but more new players are sure to leave before the start of the season, with the futures of James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio, Isco and Lucas Vazquez up in the air.
Bale was widely expected to leave the club in this summer’s transfer window, but president Florentino Perez has now reportedly urged Zidane to keep hold of the Wales international as there has not been a single bid for him. The 30-year-old is with the squad that have been training in Canada, but it remains to be seen just how many minutes he is given ahead of the new season.
Hazard is sure to be given his first taste of action for the club in this match, while the same can also be said for Jovic and Mendy as a new era kicks in. Big changes needed to be made following a tough season and the supporters will be expecting a serious challenge for La Liga next term.
A number of players seriously underperformed during a tough 2018-19 season and Zidane will be demanding an improvement in the coming weeks from a squad packed full of world-class talent.
Recent form: WDLWLL
Team News
Kovac is expected to ring the changes from the Arsenal clash, with Lewandowski, Kingsley Coman, Niklas Sule, Leon Goretzka, Pavard and Serge Gnabry all likely to come into the starting XI.
Thomas Muller and Javi Martinez should both keep their spots, while Alphonso Davies is also in the pre-season squad and will be hoping to earn some minutes against Madrid.
As for Los Blancos, Hazard, Mendy, Rodrygo and Jovic are all in line for debuts. The former should start, potentially alongside Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema in the final third of the field.
Sergio Ramos is also in line to feature, but James Rodriguez will not play as the speculation surrounding the attacker’s future continues to gather pace.
Casemiro is also absent following his involvement in the Copa America, which could open the door for Isco to impress in a midfield position.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Pavard, Martinez, Sule, Alaba; Goretzka, Thiago; Gnabry, Muller, Coman; Lewandowski
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; Vinicius, Benzema, Hazard
Head To Head
Madrid recorded a 4-3 aggregate win over Bayern in the semi-finals of the 2017-18 Champions League, while Los Blancos also beat the Germans during the quarter-finals of the 2016-17 competition.
The two teams previously met in the International Champions Cup back in August 2016, with the Spaniards picking up a 1-0 win courtesy of a late goal from now Manchester City defender Danilo.
Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
){kind=link}
Comments