Bayern Munich will be looking to build on back-to-back wins as they take on struggling Hamburger SV at the Allianz Arena.
After a home defeat to MGladbach on the opening game of the Bundesliga season, Jupp Heynckes’ side have seen off Wolfsburg in the league and last night recorded a 2-0 Champions League first-leg qualifier win over FC Zurich to set themselves nicely in their quest for a place in the group stages. Their visitors have picked up just one point from their opening two league games and Michael Oenning’s side will be heavy underdogs for Saturday afternoon’s clash.
Likely Line-Ups
Arjen Robben missed the win at Wolfsburg but returned to action with a goal in the 2-0 defeat of FC Zurich and will take his place on the Bayern right. With Franck Ribery also back from injury, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos will do battle for the final place in the home side’s attacking midfield three- Kroos started in the Zurich game but was replaced by Muller just before the hour mark.
At the back, new keeper Manuel Neuer will be feeling more confident after his shaky start to the season- the big-money summer purchase has now chalked up two clean sheets in a row.
Having brought in several players over the close season, Hamburg are yet to gel. One point out of a possible six indicates the new boys need time adjusting to each others’ games and a lack of fluidity in their play is apparent right now.
David Jarolim and Heiko Westermann could be paired in the double pivot if Hamburg revert to 4-2-3-1 following last week’s dalliance with a 4-1-4-1. The recent poor performances of Eljero Elia on the left may see him dropped for the fit-again Marcell Jansen.
Bayern Double Pivot
In Luiz Gustavo, Bastian Schweinsteiger has the perfect foil at the heart of Bayern’s midfield. The Brazilian’s ball-winning ability affords Schweinsteiger a platform to create.
Gustavo has averaged 6.5 tackles and 4.5 interceptions per game, an incredible defensive contribution for Heynckes’ side.
He’s also won 86% of aerial duels and his safety-first distribution ensures a pass accuracy of 92%.
So far, he’s been the top-rated Bayern player in the Bundesliga, with an average rating of 8.35.
Schweinsteiger has been Bayern’s chief creator thus far- averaging 3 key passes and 1.5 shots per game, going forward and letting fly. Defensively, he’s also put in a shift in his first two fixtures- 2.5 tackles and 2 interceptions per game shows he doesn’t just leave the battling to Gustavo. Schweinsteiger has a WhoScored.com rating of 7.09 so far.
Key Battle
The game’s key battle looks set to be the showdown between Arjen Robben and Dennis Aogo. Hamburg’s left-back is crucial to his side’s attacking play and his tendency to bomb forward could allow Robben the time and space to play down the Bayern right.
A look at Hamburg’s attacks in their 2-2 home draw with Hertha Berlin shows 40% of their play comes down Aogo’s left flank. He’s made 1.5 successful crosses per game, more than any teammate, and is second for key passes, averaging 1.5. He has also made 44.5 passes per game, the second most of any Hamburg player- clearly, his role is crucial and his attacking tendencies could leave the rest of Hamburg’s back-four exposed.
Bayern’s wealth of talent on the flanks sees them use their wide men as much as possible- last week’s win at Wolfsburg saw just 23% of their play coming through the middle, with 36% on the right and 41% on the left.
Aogo’s defensive work, 2 tackles and 2 interceptions per game, is still impressive, though it’s obvious Hamburg need to tighten up at the back- Hertha Berlin had 18 shots to their 6 last week, despite being the away side.
Having missed the Wolfsburg game, Robben was welcomed back to the Bayern starting XI in midweek and scored a brilliant long-range effort in the match against Zurich. Although his efforts were unsuccessful in the home league opener with MGladbach, he offers plenty of promise ahead of the weekend.
The Dutchman had 3 shots and 3 successful dribbles in the 1-0 defeat and was unlucky not to find the net. He also made 1 key pass and 2 crosses- if he can up his creativity, it’s likely Robben could be the man to inspire the German giants to victory as they look to claw back a three point deficit at the top of the table.
