Serge Gnabry starts up front for Bayern Munich against Manchester City in the Champions League.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has not travelled with the squad to England for the first leg of the quarter-final tie as he continues to battle a knee injury, leaving Thomas Tuchel with a key decision to make.
Sadio Mane and Thomas Muller were potential options to lead the line at the Etihad, but the Bayern boss talked up Gnabry’s ability to play that role in his pre-match press conference and has gone with the former Arsenal man.
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“Nothing speaks against Gnabry playing at nine,” Tuchel told reporters. “He can turn left and right, has good finishing with both feet. He has pace, can dribble. Maybe he doesn’t have Choupo’s hold-up play, but neither do Thomas and Sadio. Thomas’ strength is around the box.”
Tuchel has opted against starting Cancelo, on loan from City but eligible to start against his parent club. Benjamin Pavard is is the side instead, as Bayern look for a more defensive option against Jack Grealish.
Manuel Neuer is out for the season after fracturing his leg while skiing following the World Cup so Yann Sommer continues in goal, while Kingsley Coman and Jamal Musiala are preferred to Sadio Mane and Thomas Muller.
Bayern XI: Sommer, Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies, Kimmich, Goretzka, Sane, Musiala, Coman, Gnabry
Subs: Mane, Sarr, Cancelo, Blind, Muller, Ulreich, Schenk, Gravenberch, Tel, Mazraoui, Stanisic
