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After a positive 2017-18 season in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich will be hoping to continue with their fine run of form in the 2018-19 season. The defending champions will be aiming to produce yet another sparkling performance.
Bayern Munich finished the Bundesliga season with 84 points last season and in the ongoing season, Bayern is at the 2nd position on the points table with 19 points, just 2 points behind Borussia Dortmund.
Niko Kovac has expressed confidence that his side will be aiming to repeat their last season’s performances. Niko Kovac might have already set his sight on the Champions League and will be hoping that the team produces the desired results while playing against some of the bigger clubs of European football.
Bayern Munich were the semifinalists in the last Champions League season when Jupp Heynkyes was the manager.They lost against a quality Real Madrid side in the semifinals. Most of the players had expressed their disappointment of not making it to the finals. Niko Kovac has stated that the team is eager to go one better this time around in the Champions League.
Bayern Munich need to be consistent in every department and has to develop a killer instinct kind of an attitude when playing against some of the heavyweights of European football.
They need to show the same kind of resolute approach that they are known for so as to take on some of the bigger clubs in the Champions League.In the ongoing Champions League season Bayern Munich are 2nd in their group and Niko Kovac will be hoping to see his side through to the knockout stages of the tournament.
The reigning champions also needs to be strong defensively. Kovac wants his players to play more freely as he has stated that he wants his players to play their natural game. Bayern Munich team management needs to give every player enough game time which can prepare them for crucial games in the months going ahead.
The onus will be on Kovac and the Bayern team management to make the players believe that they can take on some of the bigger teams. Bayern Munich have some big names in the dugout and are capable of going all the way. We take a look at five such players who could make an impression for the club in the 2018-19 season.
# 1 Robert Lewandowski
After a disappointing run in this year’s World Cup Lewandowski will be hoping to produce some promising results. The 30-year-old will hold the key in Bayern’s forward line along with Arjen Robben as the duo will have to fire when playing against tactically stronger sides. The Polish international can be a big threat with his accelerating pace and electric counter attacks.
Lewandowski had expressed his disappointment as Poland couldn’t make it to the pre-quarters of the tournament. The striker will be aiming to prove his class with some decent performances. Lewandowski can also be dangerous with his electric counter attacks but off late the striker has struggled against defensively stronger sides.
Bayern Munich fans will be hoping that the striker shows the same kind of sharpness when playing against defensively stronger sides in the months going ahead. The 30-year-old scored 29 goals in 30 games in the last Bundesliga season with 2 assists to his name.
In the ongoing season, the striker has already scored 5 goals in 8 games with 3 assists to his name. In the ongoing Champions League season too, Lewandowski has already scored 2 goals in 3 games and will be a vital cog for Bayern Munich.
# 2 Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben will be the guiding force in Bayern’s midfield lineup and partnership with James Rodriguez and Frank Ribery will be a crucial factor for Niko Kovac’s side. The 34-year-old has always shown his willingness to play an attacking brand of football.
The Dutchman has got the ability to outrun the best defenses with his electric pace and his ability to link up with the midfield. Robben will be the core of Bayern’s forward line and Niko Kovac will be hoping that Robben’s experience of playing against some of the bigger clubs helps the younger players of his side.
Robben can also be a threat because of his ability to position himself in goal scoring positions as the midfielder is known for his goal-scoring prowess.
The Dutchman has also looked sharp while operating in the flanks and can be a clever operator with his swift moves. Though Robben could score only 5 goals in the last Bundesliga season he contributed with 7 assists. In the ongoing season, he has registered 3 goals in 7 games he has played.
# 3 Franck Ribery
The 34-year-old holds a very crucial position in the midfield and his combination with Arjen Robben will be crucial as both these players are known to play high-intensity football.
Ribery can also play as an attacking midfielder who adds creativity in this Bayern side. Known for his ability to keep the ball in possession with his creativity and toughness, Ribery can be a tricky player because of his innovative moves.
The Frenchman can also be handy because of his ability to win the ball from the opposition and can outclass the opponents with his uniqueness to create chances in the opposition’s territory.
The midfielder has always been a busy player manning the midfield with authority. He could score only 5 goals in 20 Bundesliga games in the last season but has shown his ability to circulate the ball with preciseness.
# 4 James Rodriguez
The emerging star from the 2014 World Cup, James Rodriguez became the toast of Colombia after an eventful tournament. Though he couldn’t replicate similar performances in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Rodriguez played his part as Colombia made it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
The 27-year-old is known for his exhilarating pace and brilliant counter-attacks and can outrun any defense on his day. The striker, known for his passing and control while making forays in the opposition’s half can make life difficult for any defense with his quick moves.
The former Real Madrid player has always played his natural game which is to attack and Bayern Munich fans will be hoping that the Colombian delivers during critical periods. His exemplary finishes can surprise any opponent.
Rodriguez netted 7 goals in 23 games in the last Bundesliga season and was spot on with his passes contributing in 11 assists. In the ongoing season, he has already netted 3 goals in 7 games.
# 5 Thomas Muller
After a forgettable World Cup in Russia Thomas Muller will be hoping to produce some gritty performances and silence his critics. The German had expressed disappointment when Germany couldn’t make it to the knock out rounds of the World Cup but had stated that team will be back to winning ways. The 29-year-old can outplay any defense with his aggressive and intense runs and can be deadly with his finishes.
Thomas Muller is a kind of player who can raise the intensity level of any team with his enigmatic runs. Muller can be a tricky player to stop as the striker can outclass the opposition with his individual brilliance. With critics strongly criticizing the player performance off late, Muller will be eager to prove his class.
The striker has the quality to shut out the best defenses with his ability to keep the ball in possession with his pace and control. Muller netted 8 goals in 29 Bundesliga games in the last season and was on target with his accurate passes contributing with 16 assists.
