Bayern Munich face Monaco in their final pre-season game at the Alpenbauer Sportpark on Monday before competitive action starts.
Thomas Tuchel’s men played out a rip-roaring 4-3 win over Liverpool on Wednesday, with Monaco getting beat by Arsenal on penalties in the Emirates Cup on the same day.
It has been a decent-to-good pre-season for Bayern Munich, even though the defending Bundesliga champions are yet to secure the signing of primary target Harry Kane.
Tuchel’s men began their preparation for the 2023-24 season with the 27-0 beatdown of FC Rottach-Egern, even if that result could be played down against significantly inferior opposition.
Die Bayern’s only defeat came on their Asia tour in Japan, losing 2-1 to last term’s treble-winning Manchester City, before following that up with a 1-0 victory against Kawasaki and a 4-3 triumph over Liverpool.
The latter saw FC Hollywood twice fight back — from 2-0 and 3-2 down — before scoring twice in the final 10 minutes through Josip Stanisic and Frans Kratzig to claim the win against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
With the DFL-Supercup taking place six days after Monday’s game with Monaco, Tuchel will hope to put his players through their paces one last time before the competitive action begins.
Like Bayern, Monday’s encounter represents the Ligue 1 side’s final tune-up game before the French topflight begins under new manager Adi Hutter.
The Monegasques’ three wins on the trot in pre-season have been watered down by consecutive defeats, even if the latest was only on penalties in the Emirates Cup against Arsenal.
After facing a possible title contender in England, Hutter’s men play the Bundesliga’s leading side next, seeking a positive performance with league action imminent.
It would be Monaco’s eighth friendly game, and the Ligue 1 club theoretically should be fitter than the side they face, as Bayern have played four matches leading up to Monday’s fixture.
Whether that plays a part in the outcome or the Bundesliga champions’ superior quality carries them through remains to be seen.
Manuel Neuer and new signing Raphael Guerreiro are sidelined through injury and are not expected to feature for Bayern.
Sadio Mane is the latest Bayern departure, following Lucas Hernandez and Marcel Sabitzer out of the club this summer.
Mathys Tel should lead the line unless Tuchel gives the youngster a breather after two consecutive starts in pre-season.
Breel Embolo has not played since last season, and the Monaco forward is not expected to take part in Monday’s encounter.
Mohammed Salisu could start for the first time since his transfer from Southampton, with Hutter giving the centre-back his first run-out after the sale of Axel Disasi to Chelsea this week.
Aleksandr Golovin was withdrawn in the closing stages at the Emirates Stadium, and the attacking midfielder may not be risked against Bayern even if he is not in the wars.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Mazraoui, Pavard, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Laimer; Sane, Musiala, Gnabry; Tel
Monaco possible starting lineup:
Kohn; Matsima, Maripan, Salisu; Vanderson, Fofana, Camara, Henrique; Minamino, Volland; Ben Yedder
We say: Bayern Munich 3-2 Monaco
Despite Monaco’s superior match sharpness, they may be on the receiving end of a marginal defeat at the hands of Bayern.
The goals have flowed in these teams’ pre-season games, and a high-scoring affair could be on the cards yet again.
