How Bayern Munich will line-up with Philippe Coutinho and why they have to be one of the favourites to win the Champions League

BAYERN MUNICH will be confident of winning their first Champions League title since 2013 following their superb summer transfer window. The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Perisic, Benjamin Pavard, Lucas Hernandez have all been brought in, as well as youngsters Mickael Cuisance and Jann-Fiete Arp. After crashing out at the Round of 16 stage in […]

BAYERN MUNICH will be confident of winning their first Champions League title since 2013 following their superb summer transfer window.

The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Perisic, Benjamin Pavard, Lucas Hernandez have all been brought in, as well as youngsters Mickael Cuisance and Jann-Fiete Arp.

After crashing out at the Round of 16 stage in the Champions League last season courtesy of Liverpool, Niko Kovac’s side have splashed the cash in their effort to return to the summit of European football.

Bayern have signed both Coutinho and Perisic on loan from Bareclona and Inter Milan respectively, with the club having the option to make their stay permanent next year.

They have also strengthened their backline in the form of World Cup-winning defender Benjamin Pavard – capable of playing at either right-back or centre-half.

And they have also snapped up left-back Hernandez from Atletico Madrid for a club-record fee to provide competition for David Alaba.

Bayern – who lost in the German Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund earlier this month – started off the new Bundesliga season with a 2-2 draw against Hertha Berlin at the Allianz Arena on Friday.

You can expect a similar back five to the team that drew against Hertha, with Manuel Neuer to keep his place between the sticks and Joshua Kimmich starting at right-back alongside Niklas Sule, Pavard and Alaba.

A midfield three will likely consist of Thiago Alcantara, Corentin Tolisso and Leon Goretzka.

While Renato Sanches and Thomas Muller will be vying to show why they should be starting regularly, along with versatile defensive midfielder Javi Martinez.

Coutinho could slot in at left-wing ahead of Perisic, with last campaign’s Player of the Year Serge Gnabry likely to be preferred over fellow winger Kingsley Coman.

Robert Lewandowski – who has netted at least 40 goals a season in each of the last four years – already has four goals this term, and will once again be leading the line for Bayern.