Bayern Munich vs Manchester City preview
Before meeting Manchester City, Bayern Munich were the most in-form team in the UEFA Champions League. However, Bayern then sacked their manager Julian Nagelsmann replacing him with Thomas Tuchel. On top of that, Pep Gaurdiola’s side played the perfect game defeating the Bavarians 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
This gives Guardiola’s side a great advantage to advance into the semi-finals. However, till the second leg is finished, nothing is guaranteed in the Champions League. And with the home crowd of Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich will welcome Manchester City for the second leg of the clash.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been far from perfect this season but have managed to turn things around lately, as they are just three points behind league leaders Arsenal. Guardiola had said in January that the team needed a necessary rebuild and even sent out his most in-form full-back Joao Cancelo on loan.
On the other hand, even Bayern Munich are facing a stiff challenge for the domestic title from Borussia Dortmund. And just like City, they have managed to turn things around and are at the top of the Bundesliga table, two points above Dortmund.
But things went very badly in the first leg, which ended with Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane being involved in an altercation that ended with Mane getting suspended. And it is under these circumstances that they will have to run around a 3-0 deficit.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will be concerned, given the reversal they suffered at the hands of Real Madrid after conceding two goals in the dying minutes of the game. However, even Guardiola has said that nothing is guaranteed and Bayern possess the talent to run around the deficit even against a strong team like Manchester City.
Bayern Munich vs Manchester City team news
Bayern Munich have almost a completely injury-free squad barring Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernandez, who are out for the entire season due to long-term injuries. The only other absentee is attacking midfielder Paul Wanner. Despite losing 3-0, Tuchel is expected to keep the same back five with Yann Sommer in goal and Alphonso Davies, Matthijs de Ligt, Dayot Upamecano and Benjamin Pavard. Ahead of them will be the double pivot of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. Jamal Musiala, Mane and Sane will form the attacking three behind Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Bayern Munich Predicted Line-up: Sommer; Davies, De Ligt, Upamecano, Pavard; Kimmich, Goretzka; Mane, Musiala, Sane; Moting
On the other hand, Manchester City have a completely injury-free squad which will be music to Pep Guardiola’s ears. However, it will also give the Spaniard headaches as he decides what his starting line-up will be. Ederson will start in goal behind a back three of Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, and John Stones. Ahead of them will be the double midfield pivot of Rodri, and Bernardo Silva, with Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish acting as an attacking four behind Erling Haaland.
Manchester City Predicted Line-up: Ederson; Laporte, Dias, Stones’ Rodri, Silva; Grealish, De Bruyne, Mahre
Key Players
Bayern Munich are a team that is built around teamwork rather than individual brilliance. However, if Bayern Munich are to recover, then their big match performer Kingsley Coman will need to deliver probably one of the best performances of his career. The Frenchman has a history of scoring important goals for Bayern Munich, especially in the Champions League.
For Manchester City, though, their star striker Erling Haaland has been breaking records left, right and centre this season. The Norwegian was on the scoresheet in the first leg and will be raring to score on Bayern’s turf, where he has been on the losing side multiple times during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
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Bayern Munich vs Manchester City predictions
Despite Bayern Munich’s brilliance, it will be one of the most significant victories ever in the history of the Champions League. In addition, the team are also adjusting to the tactics of Thomas Tuchel, which has made the job even more difficult. On top of that, they are also facing a team that are hitting their peak at the right time.
City, though, have a bad experience of losing matches in the Champions League, which will be on their mind. However, the 3-0 deficit will help them get over Bayern Munich by the sin of their teeth.
FootTheBall predicts a 2-0 win for Bayern Munich.