De Jong wins the first battle against Coutinho

Ronald Koeman must still be wondering who will accompany Memphis Depay in the attack against Bayern. On the one hand, he will have to decide if he finally comes out with two or three points, and on the other, if he bets on the recently signed Luuk de Jong or on the still unpublished this course, Philippe Coutinho, or both.

In any case, the Dutch coach wanted to test the two players with a session special shots within the area to centers by Óscar Mungueza, on the right, and Álex Collado, on the left, and with Ter Stegen and Neto under the sticks. They also joined the special session Ansu Fati and Martin Braithwaite.

As well, De Jong came out clearly the winner in the stake, although he had the factor in favor that it is one of his specialties: headshots or the first touch to centers from the wings.

What seems clear is that the option of Luuk making his debut as a starter on Tuesday in the Champions League against Bayern is winning integers. The former Sevilla striker would share honors with a Memphis Depay in a state of grace (he has scored seven goals in six games), recalling his time at PSV, when both led the team that Philippe Cocu was coaching then to win the Eredivise, and that had his continuity in the 'oranje' team.

Coutinho, for his part, already showed in the friendly against El Prat on Thursday that he was ready to play at the highest level. In the sixty minutes that he participated, he was the best by far, scoring even a goal and showing all his talent with great plays.

Braithwaite wants to be against Bayern

Martin Braithwaite points to the game against Bayern. The Danish international, who did not travel with his national team due to knee discomfort, exercised this Sunday with his teammates, although he did not complete all training. Thus, Ronald Koeman could recover one of his forwards more fit – he scored two goals and gave an assist in the first LaLiga game against Real Sociedad (4-2) – ahead of the Champions League debut. In any case, it will not be until the session on Monday when it is decided whether Braithwaite will be available or not for the big date on Tuesday.

The presence of the Danish would undoubtedly be good news for the Dutch coach who is not exactly overflowing with strikers at the start of the season after accumulating three casualties along these lines: Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembélé and Kun Agüero. Luckily, apart from Memphis, it also recovers Philippe Coutinho and has the last reinforcement, arrived at the club ‘in extremis’, the Dutch Luuk de Jong.

Who also has all the numbers to be against Bayern is Jordi Alba, who continues to add training after the muscular discomfort that prevented him from playing with Spain against Kosovo. In any case, the club is managing this case with the utmost caution to avoid these discomforts ending in injury.

On the other hand, Sergiño Dest every day seems more complicated than he can get to the game against Bayern. His right ankle sprain, despite being mild, could end up leaving him out of the call. In any case, the player does not want to throw in the towel and wants to try in Monday's session.

The rest of the players in the squad are available for the game against Bayern. Without a doubt, it will be the first litmus test for a project under construction and with many edges still to be polished.