Bayern Munich are set to open their DFB-Pokal campaign with a meeting against VfL Osnabrück on Wednesday.
Manager Vincent Kompany said Bayern Munich are mentally ready for a proper battle against second-tier Osnabrück.
Date: Wednesday, 2 September.
Kick-off: 7:45pm BST.
Venue: Stadion an der Bremer Brücke, Osnabrück.
VfL Osnabrück head into this landmark cup fixture with almost a fully fit squad available.
The only slight injury concern for the home side is Jonathan Wensing, who remains a major doubt as he continues working his way back to full match fitness after a spell out.
Unlike their high-profile opponents, the newly promoted 2. Bundesliga side have no plans to rotate and are ready to name their strongest possible XI as they chase a huge cup shock at the Bremer Brücke.
Recent scorer Ismail Badjie is expected to lead the attack from the left wing, forming part of an aggressive frontline that will look to take advantage of what could be a heavily rotated and experimental Bayern Munich defence under the floodlights.
Jonas Urbig will start in goal for FC Bayern Munich as they begin their DFB-Pokal run away to VfL Osnabrück.
Head coach Vincent Kompany has confirmed that experienced captain Manuel Neuer will be rested to manage his workload, handing the 23-year-old German goalkeeper an opportunity.
In a major boost, playmaker Jamal Musiala has returned to full training after suffering absence seizures during pre-season.
However, Kompany will make a late call on whether he is involved on matchday, and he is very unlikely to be risked from the start.
Meanwhile, Bayern will definitely be without winger Serge Gnabry, who has been ruled out completely with an adductor injury.
Full-back Sacha Boey is also left out of the squad as he trains individually ahead of a possible transfer departure. Significant squad rotation is expected, with summer arrivals Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown tipped to play substantial minutes.
VfL Osnabrück have made a mixed start to their season after winning promotion to the 2. Bundesliga. Timo Schultz’s team found the early weeks difficult because of defensive weaknesses, conceding seven goals across their opening matches. However, the lower-division side found an important lift in confidence just in time for this cup contest. They claimed their first competitive win of the new season last Friday, producing a gritty display to secure a 1–0 away victory over VfL Bochum.
FC Bayern Munich arrive for the tie in clinical form as the reigning DFB-Pokal holders. Under head coach Vincent Kompany, the side have lost only once in their last eight matches in all competitions. They began their competitive season by winning the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup with a 2–1 victory against Borussia Dortmund. They then carried that momentum straight into their Bundesliga opener, thrashing VfB Stuttgart 5–1 in an emphatic statement win at the Allianz Arena.
VfL Osnabrück: Krumrey; Fabinski, Muller, Wiemann; Kammerbauer, Wagner, Jacobsen Badjie; Beck, Munst, Meissne
Bayern Munich: Urbig; Laimer, Ito, Tah, Stanisic; Bischof, Pavlovic; Karl, Saibari, Diaz; Ibrahimovic
The match will be shown live on Premier Sports 2 for fans in the UK.
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