Bundesliga: Bayern Munich's ideal line-up in 2019/20

On Saturday, when Bayern Munich came up against Borussia Dortmund in the DFL Supercup, they had only one weapon and Dortmund knew what was coming at them. Lucien Favre set out a disciplined side that defended well for the whole 90 minutes, keeping Bayern at bay, but only just about.

They went one step up and on two of the many occasions they counter-attacked, they successfully made Bayern pay the ultimate price. Their 2-0 win over last season's Bundesliga champions is little more than a symbolic victory, and small revenge for their 5-0 mauling towards the end of last season. For Bayern, however, there were warning signs in this defeat.

A club with the stature of Bayern Munich can't afford to become predictable, and with a couple of weeks still to go before the Bundesliga begins, they have time and scope to make improvements. They're still likely to blow the competition out of the water in the league, but in the Champions League, they will find that they're on dangerous ground.

Bayern's 4-3-3 comes with a lot of emphasis on the wings

They're set for an interesting season, one in which they will, for the most part, appear in an attacking 4-3-3. The personnel who will man the positions will be more or less the same as last season unless some key signings are made in the still open transfer window.

Goalkeeper

Neuer seems like a natural with the ball in his hands or at his feet

It's almost a pointless exercise wondering who's going to be starting at GK for Bayern Munich as long as they employ Manuel Neuer. The talismanic keeper went through a spell of injury last season but now seems close to his best and will be an interesting watch this season for two reasons.

Firstly, the new rule allowing players to pick up the ball from the goalkeeper inside the box from a goal kick. It's right down Neuer's alley, it may end in some phenomenal clips or embarrassing ones, but its almost guaranteed entertainment. Second, Kovac's system, as it was exposed last season is very susceptible to the counter-attack as the team pushes high up the pitch, Neuer's strategy to deal with any counters early on may mean we'll see him closer to the halfway line more than usual.

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Defenders

Kimmich was the leader in terms of assists for Bayern last season

One of the fixtures of this Bayern side, since he came to prominence under Pep Guardiola, has been Joshua Kimmich. Touted as Philipp Lahm's heir, he's lived up to the expectation so far, featuring heavily in this aging team. Kimmich will be one of the first names on the teamsheet for Kovac, providing dynamism and real quality delivery from the wings from his right-back position.

Alaba on the left will also resume his duties, as usual, barring any injury flare-ups. The Austrian has cemented his place in the side, now as a senior figure rather than a promising youngster.

The centre-back pairing is most likely going to be one of the new signings Lucas Hernandez or Benjamin Pavard alongside Niklas Sule. Both Hernandez and Pavard are capable of filling in at centre-back or full-back and would be a great starting combination for Kovac's side, but indications are that Sule remains firmly in his plans, although, Jerome Boateng may have a reduced role this season.

In signing two World Cup-winning full-backs (who also operate as centre-backs), Bayern have given themselves options and security at the back. It allows them to experiment with Alaba and Kimmich in midfield as they have previously done while keeping the integrity if their defensive unit.

Midfield

Goretzka has been an astute buy for Bayern

The midfield three are an enigma at the moment, with Leon Goretzka the only one performing with some sort of consistency. His partners in the centre of midfield, Corentin Tolisso and Thiago have been off-color on the pitch.

Tolisso returned from an injury last season and is showing signs of better passing and quicker movement on and off the ball, Thiago is filling the gap in the middle at the moment, but Bayern may seek a replacement for him in the near future.

The likes of Renato Sanches may be an option in midfield as well, but Kovac seems inclined to play him in a wider position. Javi Martinez is also a reliable option in defensive midfield when Bayern want to protect a lead or are playing a more cautious style of football against bigger teams.

For a team of Bayern's ambition, they appear a bit thin in midfield. Kimmich and Alaba have both had stints in midfield in Bayern's past, Kimmich the more likely of the two to step into midfield, however, given his contribution to the team from right back, it would be a bold move from Kovac to make that change.

Any strengthening in midfield may or may not come based on Kovac's gameplan, and if that's any indication, Bayern will most likely prioritize wing players over midfielders.

Forwards

24-year-old Gnabry could be crucial to Bayern's success this term

Would you take a man who scored 40 goals and assisted 13 for your team out of the side? Neither would Kovac, which is why the only deputy to Robert Lewandowski at Bayern is the young new arrival Jan Fiete Arp. It's the mechanism around him that needs tweaking in the Bayern team.

Gnabry has been excellent for Bayern, driving and players and arriving in the box. The former Arsenal youngster isn't shy to take people on and will almost surely start for Kovac once he's back. Coman on the other wing tends to blow hot and cold at times, and it often leaves you feeling like he hasn't done enough at the end of games.

Thomas Muller, Renato Sanches, and Alphonso Davies have all been tried in wing positions, and although the Canadian promises the best solution for the future, he's played deputy to Alaba in many cases rather than Coman. Sanches and Muller though decent players, only seem to be stop-gaps in the wing position rather than credible replacements.

Bayern seem to have turned to Leroy Sane to solve their wing issues, and are seemingly set to get their man this summer. The German international will prosper in Kovac's wing focussed system, as he did at Schalke and City, but he won't come cheap.