What a game this could be, and it’s the kind of fixture which makes the Champions League so appealing.
A couple of bits and pieces on Manchester City’s opponents this evening: Bayern Munich.
Likely line-up:
There aren’t many grey areas in that side, and we’ve all seen enough of Bayern to know what to expect, but for the record:
- Robben, Mandzukic and Ribery have combined for 9 goals in the Bundesliga games so far.
- Thomas Muller leads the team with 3 assists.
- Robben and Ribery are both averaging 2.7 key passes per game at the moment.
- David Alaba has been accurate with 10 of his 15 attempted crosses so far this season.
- Philipp Lahm is obviously the stand-out right back in Europe at the moment, and his combination with Arjen Robben - expect Lahm to over and under-lap continuously - will keep Aleksandar Kolarov’s hands full, but don’t discount David Alaba. The Austrian left-back is fast developing into one of the very best two-way full-backs in world football, and he’s someone who cannot be allowed to get forward and into space. Pablo Zabaleta is obviously largely responsible for him, but don’t be surprised if James Milner starts ahead of Jesus Navas to provide extra defensive support on that right side.
- Bayern are unbeaten in all competitions this season, with a record of 6-1-0 in the league, and 1-0-0 in the Champions League.
- If there is a weak point in this side, then it’s the centre of defence, because neither Daniel van Buyten nor Jerome Boateng should really be starting in those positions for a side of this stature - without question, City’s likely combination of Aguero and Negredo (movement/strength/technique/finishing ability) can cause big issues, and if Yaya Toure can get enough possession in the attacking half, then Manuel Pellegrini’s side can definitely have some joy in this game.
- Typically, Bayern enjoy a lot of possession in the Bundesliga (average around 70%), and so they don’t have to endure a lot of sustained pressure. But City have the tools to disrupt that domination of the football, and that’s really the key to the game - you don’t allow a Pep Guardiola side to build momentum, because otherwise they’ll mesmerise you. Fernandinho, Toure…a big 90 minutes is needed from those guys this evening.
Free £10 bet with BetFred - No deposit requiredTweet
