FC Bayern Munich faced Olympique Lyon in their first summer friendly match, revealing an exciting lineup that included promising young talents while star signing Luis Diaz began on the bench. In a surprising twist, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany opted to start the young standout Lennart Karl alongside other emerging players such as Tom Bischof, Paul Wanner, and Sacha Boey.
The starting eleven for Bayern boasted experienced goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, supported by a backline including Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, and Raphaël Guerreiro. The midfield featured Leon Goretzka and Bischof, while new striker Harry Kane took the lead up front. The anticipated question of whether Diaz would start was answered with the decision to ease him into the lineup.
This match comes shortly after a challenging period for the club, having exited the Club World Cup against PSG just weeks prior. Bayern’s squad is still adapting after only three training sessions in preparation for the new season, with a DFL-Supercup match against VfB Stuttgart just around the corner.
In unfortunate news for Bayern, young midfielder Aleksandar Pavlović sustained a fracture to his eye socket during training and is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks after undergoing surgery. This injury raises further questions about Bayern’s midfield options in the upcoming matches.
Despite early season challenges, the introduction of fresh talent like Diaz and others reflects a commitment from Bayern to not only perform but also invest in the future of the team. As the Bundesliga season approaches, fans can remain hopeful that the mixture of seasoned players and new signings will lead to a successful campaign.