LIVE stream: Bayern Munich vs Wolfsburg - August 22, 2014 Bundesliga TV listings

August 22, 2014 By Samrin Hasib

Topics: Wolfsburg, Bayern, Bundesliga, Live Stream, TV Schedules, Live Scores, TV Listings

A Wolfsburg team, filled with confidence after last season's fifth placed finish, will be taking on a depleted and fatigued Bayern side.

Bayern opens their title defense against VfL Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg has strengthened over the summer; they have made some crucial signings. Particularly two stand out: Aaron Hunt and Sebastian Jung. Jung is a talented right back who has transferred in from Eintracht Frankfurt. Hunt is a seasoned campaigner for Werder Bremen who can play as a winger, a playmaker and as a striker. They also signed Nicklas Bendtner after missing out on their initial targets such as Mario Mandzukic.

Bayern will come into this game without plenty of players. Bastian Schweinsteiger needs plenty of rest to recover from knee problems. He will perhaps be allowed to rest until he is completely fit for action. Thiago is still out, having missed a large chunk of his first season at his new club. Sebastian Rode is expected to fill in in midfield. There is a question mark over who will start alongside him or slightly behind him in the single pivot role.

Javier Martinez's injury rules him out as a possibility. Philipp Lahm can play that role but he might fill in at the back for the absent Rafinha. In the event that he does play in midfield, young Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg might be thrust into the limelight once again. Regarding the back line, there is a general confusion as no one is quite sure what formation Pep will employ. Preseason friendlies hint at a 3-5-2 while convention clearly says 4-1-4-1. To add insult to injury, Jerome Boateng is suspended for this match.

Franck Ribery might not be back in time for this one; this means Pep might consider moving David Alaba there and playing Juan Bernat at the back. Bernat showed he can do the bare minimum well but he also showed that he is lacking attacking skills. Bernat needs to make large strides to fit in with this star studded Bayern team, despite the injury problems currently crippling them.

Wolfsburg must see that they have a great chance to get off to a winning start. Will they take advantage of Bayern's problems and post three points on opening day?