head coach Hansi Flick arrives for the German first division
Bundesliga football match Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen in Munich
on December 14, 2019.Christof STACHE / AFP
Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick says he trusts
their high line defence and will resist making changes in order to
contain fleet-footed Paris Saint Germain forwards Neymar and Kylian
Mbappe in Sunday’s Champions League final.
“In our games over the last 10 months, we’ve always tried to
impose our style on the opposition,” Flick said Saturday with
treble-chasing Bayern on a 20-match winning run.
“We’ve always played with a high line and ultimately we’ve got
results doing that so we won’t change too much.
“We don’t want to give too much space to the opposition.
“What’s important is we can press the opposition when we are in
possession and make sure we cover the ground,” he added, should
PSG’s forwards breach his defence.
Bayern have powered into the Lisbon final by scoring 42 goals in
10 European matches.
However, they nearly came unstuck early in Wednesday’s
semi-final against Lyon as the French side found plenty of space to
attack behind Bayern’s back four.
Joshua Kimmich is tipped to switch from midfield to right-back,
potentially tasked with keeping Neymar and Mbappe away from
Bayern’s goal.
“We don’t know the starting eleven, but I think I’m going to
play right-back,” said Kimmich, who played in central midfield in
the 3-0 win against Lyon.
“It might be Neymar and Mbappe on the right – they are very good
going forward, but I don’t think we are going to sit too deep.”
Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar (L) jokes with Paris
Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian MBappe prior to the French L1
football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Montpellier
Herault SC at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, on February 1,
2020.FRANCK FIFE / AFP
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Jerome Boateng, one of four survivors from the Bayern team which
won the 2013 Champions League final, strained a hamstring against
Lyon.
“I hope Jerome will be fit. After training we will debate how to
go forward,” said Flick.
He hinted at changes to his starting line-up after substitutes
Philippe Coutinho and Kingsley Coman impressed against Lyon.
“When they came off the bench, Kingsley and Philippe showed they
can strengthen the side,” said Flick.
“It’s our third game in quick succession so we need to look at
the players’ fitness levels.”
Having won the Bundesliga and lifted the German Cup, Bayern are
chasing the treble in Flick’s first season.
German forward Thomas Mueller (R) celebrates with Bayern Munich’s
German midfielder Serge Gnabry after scoring a goal during the UEFA
Champions League quarter-final football match between Barcelona and
Bayern Munich at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on August 14, 2020.
(Photo by Rafael Marchante / POOL / AFP)
Bayern shook up European football with a stunning 8-2 demolition
of Spanish giants Barcelona in the quarter-finals and are in
confident mood for Sunday’s final.
“If we are able to produce our best performance, if we are all
at 100 per cent, we will be able to win,” added Flick.
AFP