Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has outlined how he will manage his squad against Aston Villa in Friday’s pre-season friendly in Hong Kong.
Bayern beat Jeju SK 2-1 in their previous outing and Kompany is continuing a controlled approach to his players’ workloads. Those who played around 30 minutes in that game are expected to get closer to an hour against Villa, while others will have their minutes reduced.
The meeting at Kai Tak Stadium is Villa’s final game of their Asian tour. Aston Villa confirmed the Bayern fixture as part of their pre-season schedule before Unai Emery’s side turn their attention towards the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain.
Bayern Munich plan for Aston Villa clash
Kompany said Bayern’s substitutions against Jeju were part of a wider fitness programme rather than a reaction to the game.
Players who featured for only half an hour are now set for longer spells against Villa. Kim Min-jae, Hiroki Ito, Tom Bischof and Arijon Ibrahimovic are among those considered further ahead in their preparations after completing more of Bayern’s pre-season programme. Kompany explained Bayern’s workload plan ahead of the Aston Villa game.
Luis Diaz, Konrad Laimer and Josip Stanisic are among those still building fitness following later returns.
For Villa, the game should provide their toughest test of the summer so far. Emery is also managing his own returning players, with Boubacar Kamara pushing for a first start since his knee injury.
ReadAstonVilla’s predicted XI has Kamara starting alongside João Gomes against Bayern after he returned and scored against BG Pathum United.
John McGinn’s availability remains uncertain after he was forced off with a knee problem in Thailand, while several senior players are still working back after the World Cup.
Bayern’s selection may be driven largely by fitness, but the quality of the opposition should still give Emery a useful measure of where his side stand five days before facing PSG.
