The German Bundesliga goes underway on Friday much to the delight to German football fans. For this opener, Schalke 04 travel to the German Capital to take on treble winners Bayern Munich. With Bundesliga games to be played with the stadium at a maximum capacity of 20%, home fans can now go and support their favourite teams.
The sole aim for Schalke 04 would be damage limitation taking into account their record against the German Champions. The Bavarians have won eight of the last 10 meetings against Schalke by at least two goals. Coupled with the fact that they haven't lost to Schalke in eighteen games, the question is, how much will they score in this match-up?
Bavarians aim to start the new campaign with a bang
Hansi Flick has revolutionized Bayern Munich since he took over with his aggressive style of play. This was evident in the way his side played the last term as they secured the treble with dazzling performances. The most notable one being that 8-2 thrashing they gave FC Barcelona in the UCL quarterfinals.
They would be keen on picking up where they left off last season in which they managed to win a whopping 25 of the last 26 games played. Although they lost both Coutinho and Perisic given the completion of their loan deals, Sane is expected to comfortably fill those boots as the German winger signed from Manchester City. With the side now tagged 'the team to beat' in all of Europe, it is left to see how much they will accomplish this season.
Schalke get a very unlucky League opener
Bayern Munich is probably the last side anybody wants to face at the moment. Schalke not winning in any of their last nine visits to the Allianz only add insult to a wide-open injury.
Schalke went through some major personal changes all over the park. David Wagner managed to add some bite to his attack following the addition of Ibisevic and Palencia to the squad. However, they lost American midfielder Weston Mckennie to Juventus, first-choice goalie Alex Nubel to Bayern, and Micheal Gregoritsch following the completion of his loan move from Augsburg.
Bayern vs Schalke Team News
Bayern Munich possible starting XI:
Neuer; Kimmich, Sule, Alaba, Davies; Goretzka, Tolliso; Sane, Muller, Gnabry; Lewandowski
Schalke possible starting XI:
Fahrmann; Oczipka, Kabak, Nastasic, Rudy; Bentabel, Serdar, Stambouli; Harit, Uth, Raman
Bayern vs Schalke Predicton: 3-0
This Bayern Munich side will take some stopping this new campaign. The Allianz Stadium was a fortress last term and is expected to be a fortress this season. All Schalke need to do is to reduce the number of goals they concede as we expect them to leave the capital with nothing come Friday.