On December 1, 2020, Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick was in a bind as he prepared for an away match against Atlético Madrid. In the age of COVID, Bayern was dealing with injuries, a compact schedule, and a match that did not leave much to play for. The head coach had to make some tough decisions with his lineup, and Flick put together one of the ugliest XIs we have ever seen in the modern era of this site.
Look at this starting XI—just look at it:
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting leading the line, Douglas Costa on the left, a teenage Jamal Musiala in the middle, and Leroy Sané on the right. David Alaba captained a midfield featuring Javi Martínez. Lucas Hernández was at left-back, Bouna Sarr at right-back, and a defensive pairing of Niklas Süle and Chris Richards’ future teammate, Bright Arrey-Mbi. Sven Ulreich wasn’t even the goalkeeper—Alexander Nübel got the gloves.
And somehow, Bayern Munich walked out of the Wanda Metropolitano with a 1-1 draw.
This was not a lineup. This was a Champions League group-stage experiment conducted by Flick after Bayern had already secured qualification and first place in the group.
Douglas Costa, Javi Martínez, Choupo-Moting, Bouna Sarr, and Arrey-Mbi all starting together in a Champions League away fixture. Somewhere, a squad-planning executive was having a very interesting afternoon.
To be fair, Musiala was already showing signs of the superstar he would become, Alaba was still Alaba, and Sané was… well, Sané.
If tonight’s team selection gives you a headache, just remember—Bayern Munich once went to Atlético Madrid with Bouna Sarr, Bright Arrey-Mbi, and Alexander Nübel in the same starting XI and still came away unbeaten.
Miracles can happen.
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