This week, Barcelona will face a crucial opponent in Bayern Munich. If the Catalans want to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the knockout stages of the tournament, they absolutely must win this match. Since Barcelona has such a dismal record versus Bayern in European competition, this game is about more than just qualification.
However, three of Bayern’s top players have been ruled out for the game, according to Kicker (h/t iMiaSanMia), giving Barcelona a minor advantage coming into this clash. This includes goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury until the match against Mainz. The team captain was conspicuously absent from the match against TSG Hoffenheim. Since Neuer is injured, Sven Ulreich will likely fill in for him.
In addition, Leroy Sane will not play. Recently, the German international was sidelined with a thigh injury, and he is not anticipated to return until the encounter against Inter Milan on day 6 of the Champions League group stages.
Without Sane, Bayern’s creative unit may seem to be overly reliant on Jamal Musiala and Thomas Muller under Julian Nagelsmann.
However, Lucas Hernandez may be the team’s biggest omission. He suffered a strain in the victory over SC Freiburg, and the Frenchman is in pain. Bayern’s defensive stability will be severely compromised without him against Barcelona.
Even though Hernandez is often regarded as Bayern Munich’s greatest defender, the team may struggle to control Robert Lewandowski this week with newcomers Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt still finding their footing at their respective new clubs.
