In Saturday’s Supercup matchup against RB Leipzig and Christopher Nkunku, Sadio Mane will make his professional debut for Bayern Munich (kick-off: 8.30 pm CEST).
Leipzig finished fourth in last season’s Bundesliga but earned the right to contest the first piece of 2022/23 silverware after winning the DFB Cup. Nkunku scored the equalizer and the opening penalty in the decisive shootout in the final against Freiburg to crown a career-best campaign that totaled some 35 goals and 20 assists. The 2021/22 Bundesliga Player of the Season has since underlined his commitment to the club by signing a contract
extension and will be absolutely key to their prospects of laying a glove on record champion Bayern in the Supercup and beyond. Midfielder Xaver Schlager’s arrival from Wolfsburg strengthen’s Domenico Tedesco’s hand further still, but defender Josko Gvardiol is unavailable. Marcel Halstenberg should deputize on the left-hand side of the back three at the sold-out Red Bull Arena.
Nkunku has two goals in six appearances against Bayern but is yet to be involved in a win (D3, L3).
The 2021/22 DFB Cup was Leipzig’s first major trophy since its foundation in 2009.
Leipzig has won just one of 14 competitive meetings with Bayern (D4, L9).
Mane produced 120 goals and 48 assists in 269 competitive appearances for Liverpool.
Nagelsmann has overseen 43 matches as Bayern head coach (W30, D7, L6). His record in charge of Leipzig was: P95, W54, D22, L19.
Bayern are record seven-time DFL Supercup winners. Leipzig are competition debutants.
Team lineup
Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) – Simakan, Orban, Halstenberg – Henrichs, Schlager, Kampl, Angelino – Olmo – Nkunku, Silva
Out: Gvardiol (thigh), Poulsen (muscular)
Doubtful: –
Coach: Domenico Tedesco
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Mazraoui, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies – Kimmich, Sabitzer – Gnabry, Müller, Coman – Mane
Out: Goretzka (knee)
Doubtful: –
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
