“Salzburg are uncomfortable opponents and they did well in Salzburg. A team that can put their opponents under pressure very, very well and also has very good solutions when it comes to possession, ”said Flick. Whether the “cops” will present themselves more defensively this time remains to be seen: “When we are in control, it’s nice. But if they put us under pressure, we also know what to do. “
He did not attach much importance to the 1: 3 defeat of Salzburg at the weekend against Sturm Graz. “You didn’t have some players with you from the start. Certain automatisms are then no longer as precise as you know them. And I am already expecting exactly this Salzburg team that we saw in the first leg, ”said the successful coach, who can come up with an impressive record of 45 wins, two draws and three defeats in 50 games.
Personnel worries on the defensive
In his defensive department, Flick is forced to “tinker”. Outside, Bouna Sarr is just as quick as Alphonso Davies. Lucas Hernandez, who had to leave the pitch in the last 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen and was then represented by ÖFB team player David Alaba, will at least be able to sit on the bench. In Flick’s opinion, Niklas Süle, who played in the national team in the 6-0 draw against Spain, still has too much training deficit. “Niklas has amazing qualities, and we need them when he is 100 percent fit,” said Flick. Compared to the first leg, midfielder Joshua Kimmich cannot participate after his knee surgery.
Group A, matchday four
Start 9 p.m .:
Bavaria – Salzburg
Soccer arena Munich, 9 p.m., SR Grinfeld / ISR
Bayern: Neuer – Richards, Boateng, Alaba, Pavard – Goretzka, Martinez – Gnabry, Müller, Coman – Lewandowski
Salzburg: Stankovic – Kristensen, Ramalho, Wöber, Ulmer – Mwepu, Camara, Junuzovic, Szoboszlai – Berisha, Koita
The back four and the defensive midfield as success factors from the triple season must be reformed. In view of eight games in the next 25 days, Flick cannot take any risks with the personnel damage. He doesn’t have to because the situation is comfortable after three wins in three CL games.
“Building on a strong series”
“That’s our goal, we want to win and qualify (for the round of 16, note). We have a strong series in the Champions League, and we want to build on that, ”said midfielder Leon Goretzka, whose role without Kimmich at headquarters is more important than it is anyway. “We claim to absorb that.”
“We want to perform,” added the 25-year-old German international. He and his DFB teammates wanted to make up for something against Bremen. It didn’t work out yet, the home game ended with a moderate 1: 1. It remains open who Flick offers besides Goretzka. Javi Martinez is a candidate for both central defense and defensive midfield. “We’ll solve that,” assured Flick. The 20-year-old American Chris Richards could also make his Champions League debut.
Salzburg want to surprise against Bayern
After the 2: 6 defeat in the first leg, Salzburg would like to take on Bayern Munich even more in the second leg of the Champions League group stage. The “cops” hope for a sensation away from home.
Lewandowski before promotion to top three
A goal from star striker Robert Lewandowski would meanwhile not only be helpful for the continuation of Bayern’s record series of 14 CL victories in a row. With his 71st goal in this competition, the Pole would also move into the top three behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – and draw level with Real Madrid legend Raul. Incidentally, the soccer arena in Munich, as the stadium is named in the UEFA competitions, will be illuminated in orange instead of the usual red on Wednesday: With this, Bayern are supporting the “Zonta says No” initiative and sending out a signal against violence against women.
