Why key suspensions give Bayern Munich alternatives chance to shine in UEFA Champions League
Bayern Munich will head into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 clash against Atalanta without Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise due to suspension, but their absences offer the opportunity for others to step into the limelight.
The Bundesliga leaders recorded a stunning 6-1 win against Atalanta in the first leg of the European tie, which was almost flawless. The only blemish on the scoresheet – aside from the injury-time goal they conceded – was a pair of yellow cards picked up by Olise and Kimmich.
Ostensibly, the cards didn't have any bearing on the match. However, as both men have accumulated too many yellows in the UEFA Champions League this season, they will now miss the second leg of Bayern’s last 16 tie against Atalanta.
Watch: All Olise's Bundesliga goals and assists
While no head coach ever wants to lose star players, for Vincent Kompany, the unavailibility of the pair will likely only highlight how much depth Bayern have in reserve heading into the business end of the season.
Given the distinct possibility of the side achieving a historic treble this term, squad depth is going to become incredibly important over the coming weeks and months. And so, with Olise and Kimmich unavailable for the return leg against Atalanta, some of Bayern’s supporting cast could now get a chance to shine in Europe.
Replacing Olise is surely one of the most daunting tasks in world football at the moment. The Frenchman has been electric in all competitions, with 41 goal involvements in 37 matches this campaign. Fortunately for Kompany, he has a rather impressive youngster in his ranks by the name of Lennart Karl.
The 18-year-old has taken the Champions League by storm this season, scoring three goals in six appearances – which included a stunner on his full competition debut against Club Brugge.
He has deputised for Olise once already in the Champions League, playing on the right-hand side against PSV in Bayern’s final league phase match. Karl grabbed an assist in the game and showed he is more than capable of standing in for his more senior teammate when required.
Kimmich’s replacement is, arguably, less obvious. Kompany has plenty of squad options to partner Aleksandar Pavlović in midfield, but the captain’s suspension might present the perfect opportunity for Tom Bischof to gain more European experience.
Bischof is still new to the Champions League, having only played from the start twice in the competition previously – both times at full-back. As such, the Atalanta game might see Kompany utilise the German international in his favoured midfield position to see what he can produce over 90 minutes.
At the age of 20, Bischof has been heralded by some as a long-term Kimmich replacement. Moments like these are where we see if such comparisons hold weight.
Given Bayern’s sizeable advantage over Atalanta heading into the second leg, they have far more scope to experiment with their starting XI than they otherwise would have. But even if the likes of Kimmich and Olise are out for longer periods in the future, Bayern fans can take some solace from the fact that they have a host of truly elite replacements. In the Bavarians’ case, they've proven time and time again that losing star players to suspension and injury won't define their entire campaign.
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