Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is facing a couple of defensive quandaries ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.
The German giants are certain to be without Kingsley Coman (groin), Sacha Boey (hip), Bouna Sarr (ACL), Tarek Buchmann (hamstring) and Raphael Guerreiro (ankle), the latter of whom was one of two casualties from the weekend's Bundesliga loss to Stuttgart.
Ex-Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier also had to be withdrawn at half time in that contest owing to a cut to the head, while he was also dealing with a thigh niggle before the match, but his change was more precautionary than enforced.
As a result, Dier should be given the thumbs-up to form part of Manuel Neuer's protective barrier, which should also comprise Joshua Kimmich on the right and the recalled Noussair Mazraoui bombing down the left.
The Bavarians have also been boosted by Matthijs de Ligt's return to training from a knee problem, and the Dutchman is now a candidate to replace Kim Min-jae, labelled "greedy" by his own boss after a poor showing in the first leg.
Leon Goretzka and the industrial Konrad Laimer form a menacing midfield pairing for the German powerhouses, while Jamal Musiala - rested for the loss to Stuttgart at the weekend - should be back to his usual tricks further forward.
Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry have also overcome recent injury concerns and are also primed to start in support of Harry Kane, whose consolation penalty at the weekend took him up to 44 goals for the campaign.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Kimmich, Dier, De Ligt, Mazraoui; Goretzka, Laimer; Sane, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
> Click here to see how Real Madrid could line up for the second leg
Ben Knapton
