Team news and predicted lineups

Here’s our preview of Saturday’s Supercup final between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig, including predicted lineups for both teams.

With less than a week to go until the start of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season, reigning champions Bayern Munich and cup winners RB Leipzig will clash in the Supercup at the Allianz Arena on Saturday night.

The Bavarians will be looking to win the Supercup for the fourth consecutive season, having defeated Leipzig 5-3 in last year’s match at the Red Bull Arena.

“The Supercup is important because it can give you an extra push. I’m picking up a lot of positive energy from the team. Our goal is to play well and take the next step. We really want to win, but we also know that Leipzig want to do the same,” said Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel at his pre-match press conference, where he also expressed hope that Thomas Muller and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting would be able to return to the squad after injury.

“Müller and Choupo completed three training sessions with the team. They have worked hard and are currently pain-free. If that continues, then they could be options for the matchday squad,” Tuchel said.

Tuchel is likely to stick with the starting line-up from Tuesday’s 4-2 friendly win over AS Monaco.

With Manuel Neuer still working his way back from injury, Sven Ulreich will start in goal as Bayern’s only fit first-choice goalkeeper at the moment.

New signing Kim Min-Jae is projected to play in central defense alongside Benjamin Pavard, while Konrad Laimer could start in midfield against his former team. With Harry Kane having only recently arrived in Munich, Mathys Tel could get the nod up front once again.

As for Leipzig, head coach Marco Rose will have to manage without some of his most important players from last season. Not only has Laimer left the club, but so have Christopher Nkunku, Dominik Szoboszlai and Josko Gvardiol.

Leipzig have responded by bringing in a number of young, talented players, including Nicolas Seiwald, Xavi Simons, Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda, who is tipped to start up front alongside Timo Werner.

“We’ve made a conscious effort to put out a youthful side – we believe that they are ready for this challenge and it will help them to develop their game. This group have grown close over a short period of time, and we’ve been really impressed by how quickly the boys have gelled,” said Leipzig coach Marco Rose, who will be without new signings El Chadaille Bitshiabu and Christoph Baumgartner as well as Amadou Haidara and Peter Gulacsi.

The Leipzig coach is well aware of the challenge that awaits his team and is eager to see how his new-look side will perform.

“We will face what is undeniably a huge challenge in Munich, but we are excited, as we know that our title win in June has earned us the right to compete in this game. The boys thrive when playing against this standard of team. After this fixture, it will be clear where we stand and how we can improve,” he said.

Click here to see our predicted Bayern vs. Leipzig lineups.

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