Lineups are in for Bayern Munich's UEFA Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow in Russia, and they're a bit surprising. Serial tinkerer Pep Guardiola's team looks perfectly sensible, while Leonid Slutsky, who rarely varies his personnel, has picked an odd squad.
CSKA Moscow vs. Bayern Munich lineups: Confirmed starters
Today, Pep Guardiola and Leonid Slutsky’s roles are reversed.
Alexander Hassenstein
Bayern Munich appear to be lining up in a 4-2-3-1, with Philipp Lahm at right back and David Alaba in the center of midfield. There's every possibility that this takes an odd shape or morphs into some kind of back three formation, but it's possible Pep's seen the light and doesn't feel like inventing formations anymore.
CSKA Moscow have picked a bizarre lineup, apparently lining up with a back three. They haven’t played anything but a back four this season, but none of the five defenders that they’ve selected have played in midfield this season either, so their formation is anyone’s guess. They’re also playing a team that does not feature a recognized striker.
Bayern Munich starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Juan Bernat, Dante, Mehdi Benatia, Philipp Lahm; Xabi Alonso, David Alaba; Mario Götze, Thomas Müller, Arjen Robben; Robert Lewandowski
CSKA Moscow starting lineup (3-4-3): Igor Akinfeev; Aleksei Berezutski, Vasili Berezutski, Sergei Ignashevich; Georgi Schennikov, Georgi Milanov, Bibras Natcho, Mario Fernandes; Zoran Tosic, Roman Eremenko, Ahmed Musa
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