The international break always brings some bitter news and this time it is an injury blow to the prolific Pole, Robert Lewandowski. This is a huge blow for Bayern especially with key fixtures lurking around towards the final weeks of the season. If there was a worst possible timing for Bayern Munich to lose their best goal threat, this was the one. In a space of a week, they play title contenders RB Leipzig (4 points behind) and Union Berlin in the Bundesliga and PSG in the quarter finals of the Champions League. He is set to be out for 4 weeks which could see him miss a lot of key fixtures in the league like Wolfsburg (A) and Leverkusen (H).
The Prolific Pole
Robert Lewandowski has undoubtedly been the best player on the planet since the start of last season. He was robbed off the Ballon d'or by France Football to which he responded by simply being unstoppable in front of goal. He has already scored 47 goals in 41 games for club and country this season. He is chasing Gerd Müller's record for the most goals in a Bundesliga season (40) and after GW26, he already at 35(!) goals. He is leading the European Golden Boot race with his closest competitors Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both on 23 goals. He really took that Ballon d'or snub personally and making sure that he does not miss it out this time.
Flicki-Flacka
Since the arrival of Hansi Flick, he has transformed the Bayern side into a pressing machine. The team maintains a high defensive line and press the opposition high up the pitch as soon as they lose the ball. Lewandowski is not just a goal scorer but puts in the legs for the pressing as well. But his contributions are naturally much more significant with the ball rather than without it. He plays a key role in the build up of the Bayern attack as well. He drops on either side of the pitch to attract defenders which helps the wingers to get into dangerous positions. He also drops in deep which helps Leon Goretzka get into the box and make his physical presence count. Lewandowski not just scores goals for fun, but also helps the team with assists by chipping in with 8 this season.
Who takes up the mantle upfront?
When you have the best #9 in the world in insane form, you do not really think about a reserve player to take his place as a stand in. At the same time, no player is really willing to be his reserve player either! So is the striker situation at Munich. This has worked pretty well for Bayern so far because Lewandowski hardly is out with any injuries. Should Flick change the formation to facilitate the options available to him? Flick isn't really known for tweaking his formation to accommodate any absentees. He would still stick to his 4-2-3-1 which has done him wonders. Should he go for a like-for-like replacement? Should he flirt with the player positions like Pep Guardiola does as Manchester City? Let us have a look at the options Hansi Flick has upfront:
- Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
The signing of Choupo-Moting raised a lot of eyebrows but he falls into the category of players who could be lured by the prospect of just being a stand in guy to the world's best, to be a shadow and spend most of his time on the bench. Not a great acquisition but a very important one. And this is his time to prove his worth. But the question is, can he be trusted with games where so much is at stake? Hansi Flick has shown little trust in him when it comes to the big games. He has been used only as a backup option and never preferred to start with just 6 starts this season in all competitions. With the level and intensity of the games, chances of Choupo-Moting getting any opportunity are very very bleak.
- Serge Gnabry
The Bayern-chef, Gnabry has played this role for the German national team multiple times and has even flourished. Flick has even tried to play him in the #10 role in Müller's absence. He is comfortable with both is feet and also his head which makes him an amazing candidate to fill out the void left by Lewandowski. His start to the 20/21 season was bit slow but he has found form since the turn of February. He has 3 goals in his last 5 games for club and country. Flick could play the pacey front three of: Coman-Gnabry-Sane which could really any back line. With all your attacking options getting in behind with blasting pace, Bayern just might cope up with the loss of the towering Pole well.
- Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller has been a key figure since Flick took charge and he has been transformed into a huge goal threat. He had the most assists in the Bundesliga last season and has just picked up from where he left off last season with 13 goals and 17 assists in all competitions this season. The Raumdeuter knows how to interpret space like no one else and practically plays as a second striker role in the Müllerdowski partnership. He could easily be trusted to lead the line with him art of finding spaces in the box quite unparalleled.
The signing of Choupo-Moting raised a lot of eyebrows but he falls into the category of players who could be lured by the prospect of just being a stand in guy to the world's best, to be a shadow and spend most of his time on the bench. Not a great acquisition but a very important one. And this is his time to prove his worth. But the question is, can he be trusted with games where so much is at stake? Hansi Flick has shown little trust in him when it comes to the big games. He has been used only as a backup option and never preferred to start with just 6 starts this season in all competitions. With the level and intensity of the games, chances of Choupo-Moting getting any opportunity are very very bleak.
The Bayern-chef, Gnabry has played this role for the German national team multiple times and has even flourished. Flick has even tried to play him in the #10 role in Müller's absence. He is comfortable with both is feet and also his head which makes him an amazing candidate to fill out the void left by Lewandowski. His start to the 20/21 season was bit slow but he has found form since the turn of February. He has 3 goals in his last 5 games for club and country. Flick could play the pacey front three of: Coman-Gnabry-Sane which could really any back line. With all your attacking options getting in behind with blasting pace, Bayern just might cope up with the loss of the towering Pole well.
Thomas Müller has been a key figure since Flick took charge and he has been transformed into a huge goal threat. He had the most assists in the Bundesliga last season and has just picked up from where he left off last season with 13 goals and 17 assists in all competitions this season. The Raumdeuter knows how to interpret space like no one else and practically plays as a second striker role in the Müllerdowski partnership. He could easily be trusted to lead the line with him art of finding spaces in the box quite unparalleled.
Writer's Pick
Given these three options, and the others which weren't mentioned, Serge Gnabry seems like the most viable option. It would maintain the team balance and would not taper with the attacking treat of this explosive Bayern Munich side. PSG is a very solid side and the prospect of a rematch of the 2020 UCL final would be more welcoming to them now. As for Flick's side, the challenge has become a mammoth task if it wasn't before.
Bayern Munich vs PSG Predicted XI
With Robert Lewandowski absent, the physical presence would be missing in the penalty area. This could be partially fulfilled by pushing Leon Goretzka further up the pitch which will allow Joshua Kimmich to play balls over the top into the box. Gnabry could run in behind the back line and through balls from Müller and Kimmich could prove deadly. The wingers would get more freedom to cut inside and shoot while Gnabry drifts outside. The left flank could really prove deadly with the pace of Davies, Coman and Gnabry running riot. Müller could make late runs into the box even more often as well as drift outside when the wingers flood the box to play the final pass. All in all, the absence of Lewandowski should not really be a huge disadvantage as the lineup without him is still strong enough to compete with the best in Europe!
Here is how I would have Bayern lineup without Lewandowski:
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