When Bayern Munich lines up against Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker, every positional decision feels magnified — and left-back is no exception, now that Alphonso Davies is out. With multiple versatile options available, the call comes down to balance, matchups, and game state.
Josip Stanišić offers defensive stability. He’s positionally disciplined, strong in duels, and tactically intelligent. Against Dortmund’s pace on the wings, his conservative approach could prevent Bayern Munich from being
exposed in transition. The tradeoff? Limited attacking thrust compared to others on this list.
Konrad Laimer, who was held out of Bayern Munich’s 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, brings relentless energy and pressing intensity. While naturally a midfielder, his engine and aggression can disrupt Borussia Dortmund’s buildup. However, deploying him at left-back risks positional lapses against elite wide attackers — especially if Bayern dominates possession and gets caught on the counter.
Hiroki Itō provides an intriguing middle ground. Comfortable in a back four or three, he’s composed on the ball and strong in aerial situations. His left-footed profile adds natural balance in buildup play, something Bayern Munich often values against high-pressing opponents.
Tom Bischof, though talented, feels like the wildcard. Throwing him into a Klassiker at left-back would be bold. Developmentally exciting? Absolutely. Pragmatically sound? That’s debatable, especially given the stakes.
Then there’s Raphaël Guerreiro — arguably the most natural attacking fit. His technical quality, creativity, and ability to drift into midfield could overload Borussia Dortmund centrally. The emotional subplot of facing his former club only adds intrigue. The question is defensive resilience: can he consistently handle Borussia Dortmund’s direct transitions?
Against a team like Bayern Munich’s biggest domestic rival, the decision likely hinges on risk tolerance. If control and buildup are priorities, Itō or Stanišić make sense. If defensive solidity is the focus, Stanišić feels safest.
The lean here? Hiroki Itō will get the nod.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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