Key Takeaways
- FC Bayern Munich plan sweeping changes to their starting eleven as they prepare for a crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
- 1. FC Heidenheim are desperate for points to escape the relegation zone and gained confidence from a 2-0 victory over FC St. Pauli last weekend.
- Georgia striker Budu Zivzivadze enters the match in red-hot form, having scored in his last three consecutive appearances.
The Bundesliga returns this weekend with a fascinating encounter at the Allianz Arena. Reigning champions FC Bayern Munich host 1. FC Heidenheim on matchday 32 in a fixture that pits title winners against relegation battlers.
The hosts have already secured the domestic championship. Their focus has now shifted to the semi-final second leg of the UEFA Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain. This means head coach Vincent Kompany will rest several star names on Saturday. Last weekend provided a warning when a heavily rotated Bayern side trailed 1. FSV Mainz 04 by three goals at half-time. Senior players had to come off the bench to rescue the situation.
A similar pattern could emerge here. The Bavarian giants possess remarkable squad depth, yet any complacency could prove costly. Heidenheim arrive in Munich fighting for their survival. Their 2-0 win over FC St. Pauli last week injected fresh belief into a campaign that appeared doomed. They remain four points behind the relegation playoff position with only three matches remaining. Frank Schmidt’s men require maximum points and favours from other grounds to climb to 16th place.
The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a comprehensive 4-0 triumph for Bayern. However, the stakes are entirely different this time around.
Keep an eye on Budu Zivzivadze. The Georgian forward terrorised second-tier defences last season. He appears determined to avoid an immediate return to the 2. Bundesliga. The striker has found the net in his last three outings, making him the primary threat for the underdogs.
Team news presents challenges for both benches. Bayern will miss Serge Gnabry, Raphaël Guerreiro, Jonas Karl and Francisco Bischof. Kompany would have preferred these options available for selection. Otherwise, the full senior squad is fit, though several youth academy graduates are expected to feature.
Heidenheim cannot call upon the Conteh siblings, Christian and Sirlord, nor Mathias Honsak. Arijon Ibrahimović, Jan-Niklas Gimber and Marvin Kaufmann are also doubtful for the clash. Schmidt is unlikely to alter his approach much from the side that defeated St. Pauli given the emotional significance of that result.
Predicted FC Bayern Munich XI: Jonas Urbig; Josip Stanišić, Min-jae Kim, Hiroki Itō, Konrad Laimer; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka; Michael Olise, Cherif Ndiaye, Brajan Gruda; Jonatahn Jackson.
Predicted 1. FC Heidenheim XI: Kevin Müller; Patrick Mainka, Benedikt Gimber, Jonas Föhrenbach; Marnon Busch, Jan-Niklas Beste, Lennard Maloney, Marvin Pieringer, Adrian Beck; Budu Zivzivadze, Eren Dinkçi.