FC Bayern vs. Union Saint-Gilloise Champions League preview: Team news and predicted lineups

By Michael Kryschak@michaelkryschak

Here is our preview article for the Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Union Saint-Gilloise, including team news and predicted lineups.

FC Bayern will welcome Union Saint-Gilloise to the Allianz Arena in what promises to be a key showdown as the Bavarians look to edge closer to securing a place in the Champions League round of 16. Bayern currently sit second with 15 points, comfortably placed among the top eight sides who will automatically progress after the group stage, while Union Saint-Gilloise are fighting to remain in contention for a top-24 finish that would send them into the playoff round.

Current form

Bayern arrive in imperious domestic form after a 5–1 rout of RB Leipzig at the weekend, a match that saw them overturn a first-half deficit with devastating attacking play and clinical finishing. The result not only extended their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga but also showcased the team’s resilience and depth, as goals from across the squad underlined coach Vincent Kompany’s attacking blueprint.

One of the most uplifting storylines from that weekend performance was the return of Jamal Musiala after nearly six months on the sidelines. The German playmaker, sidelined since suffering a serious leg and ankle injury in the Club World Cup last year, was introduced late in Leipzig and made an immediate impact, providing the assist for Bayern’s fifth goal just moments after coming on. Teammates and supporters alike celebrated his return – an emotional moment for a player whose creativity and unpredictability are central to Bayern’s attacking identity.

The Belgian side on the other hand are a force to be reckoned with – at least in Belgium. They have an unbeaten streak of seven games going domestically, but their Champions League form is rather bad – they’d desperately need to get a win against Bayern to stay in contention for the play-off round. 

Team news and predicted lineups

FC Bayern Munich will be boosted by the returns of Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz for their Champions League clash with Union Saint‑Gilloise. The Colombian winger is available again after serving a suspension in European competition, adding further quality and width to Bayern’s attacking options. Bayern will still be without key defensive and squad players: Josip Stanišić, Konrad Laimer, and Sacha Boey are sidelined with injuries or illness, while Nicolas Jackson remains unavailable as he finishes up after Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign. In response to these absences, Kompany is likely to deploy a 4‑2‑3‑1 system:

[Neuer – Guerreiro, Upamecano, Tah, Ito – Kimmich, Pavlovic – Olise, Karl, Díaz – Kane]

 

For Union Saint‑Gilloise, the selection outlook is more settled, though they too face a couple of absences. The Belgian outfit will be without striker Kevin Rodríguez, who remains sidelined. Defender Thierno Barry is a doubt, but Union should otherwise have most of their squad available for the trip to Munich. Their manager is expected to set up in a flexible formation – often shifting between a back three and back four shape:

[Scherpen – Mac Allister, Burgess, Leysen – Khalaili, Perre, Zorgane, Niang – Giger, David, El Hadj]

Kompany’s thoughts on the match

Kompany has been keen to manage expectations and protect Musiala’s fitness, stressing in the pre-match press conference that the club will ease him back into action carefully. With only a few days between the Leipzig game and the Union Saint-Gilloise clash, the Bayern head coach emphasised that while Musiala’s return is an exciting development, his minutes will be managed to ensure he builds up safely and sustainably.

Kompany’s comments off the training ground also carried a clear note of respect for Union Saint-Gilloise, warning that the Belgian side should not be underestimated despite their underdog status. Drawing on his own managerial experience in Belgium, Kompany highlighted Union’s hardworking ethos and tactical discipline, qualities that have helped them succeed domestically and could make them dangerous on the European stage if Bayern allow complacency to creep in.

Goals and predictions

Union’s journey to Munich has been underpinned by a compact defensive shape and moments of opportunism in attack, but they will know this is arguably their toughest test of the group stage, especially against a Bayern side whose blend of firepower and confidence has been on full display across all competitions. Union’s coach has reportedly spent extra time analysing Bayern’s threat, reflecting the challenge his players face when trying to keep pace with the German champions’ pace and technical quality.

For Bayern, this match represents more than just another group fixture. A victory would all but seal their place in the knockout rounds, allowing them to approach their final group game with greater strategic flexibility. Kompany’s men have already proven they can dominate on both ends of the park this season – scoring freely while rarely relinquishing control – and with stars such as Harry Kane, Michael Olise and the returning Musiala, they possess the kind of attacking depth that can unsettle even the most disciplined defensive units.

What remains to be seen is whether Bayern can translate their domestic dominance seamlessly into European success. Union Saint-Gilloise will certainly test their mettle, using their structured approach to try and stifle Bayern’s rhythm and exploit moments on the break. But on paper and in recent performance trends, the Bavarians look firmly in command of their destiny and with Champions League qualification at stake, they will be expected to deliver.