European Heavyweights Bayern Munich and Manchester United will face off in a blockbuster clash on Wednesday. The two teams, who have a combined total of nine European championships, last competed against one another in a quarterfinal second-leg match nine years ago, with Bayern winning 3-1. They last met in the group stage in 2001.
Preview (Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United)
Bayern Munich endured a perfect start to the current Bundesliga campaign. It saw them win all three of their opening games. That run came to an end last Friday after an exciting 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen at home. Midway through the first half, Alex Grimaldo negated Harry Kane’s 300th career club goal. Later, Leon Goretzka appeared to have sealed the victory for the home team with a goal in the 86th minute. Leverkusen snatched a point in dramatic fashion when Exequiel Palacios converted a penalty kick.
In order to advance, head coach Thomas Tuchel felt that his team “needed more bite” across the board. The former Chelsea manager will be eager to make amends when his group faces Man United on Wednesday. In his four previous attempts as a manager, Tuchel has never defeated the Red Devils at home. However, Bayern has never lost to Man United at home, winning three and drawing two. Tuchel’s team will be confident of advancing to the knockout stages of the Champions League. They are heavy favorites to finish first in Group A ahead of Man United, Galatasaray, and Copenhagen.
The German giants have developed a reputation as Champions League group-stage experts over the years. They currently hold the record for the longest streak of games without a loss at this stage of the competition with 34 games. On Wednesday, they will try to set a new record by winning their 14th consecutive group-stage home match. After a trying week off the field, Man United manager Erik ten Hag was hoping for a good result and performance from his players last weekend to lift the atmosphere at Old Trafford.
Team News
Joshua Kimmich, a midfielder for Bayern Munich, has an inflamed tendon and is questionable. Manuel Neuer (calf), Kingsley Coman (muscle), Raphael Guerreiro (calf), and Tarek Buchmann (hamstring) are all still receiving treatment. Kimmich left the game in the second half of the draw with Leverkusen. Tuchel briefly tried both Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui as defensive midfielders. However, given Kimmich’s potential absence on Wednesday, Konrad Laimer will likely start in center-midfield alongside Goretzka.
Thomas Muller and Jamal Musiala, who have recovered from injury, will compete for the starting number 10 position. Former Tottenham Hotspur talisman Kane has scored four goals in as many Bundesliga games this season. Diogo Dalot will start at right-back for Man United as Aaron Wan-Bissaka is expected to miss “several weeks” due to an injury he suffered against Brighton. This is a new injury setback for Man United.
At least one of those players, including Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia (all muscle), Mason Mount (hamstring), Sofyan Amrabat (back), Tom Heaton (calf), Amad Diallo (knee), and Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), could be ready to play on Wednesday, according to Ten Hag. However, Antony, who has been accused of violence, will be absent “until further notice” for the Red Devils, while Jadon Sancho, who was suspended from first-team training after his outburst at Ten Hag on social media, will also be unavailable.
Ten Hag might switch to a 4-2-3-1 system against Bayern after trying a 4-4-2 diamond shape in the defeat to Brighton. On the right flank, he could start either Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, or Facundo Pellistri. Although Bayern had a slight hiccup last weekend, it appears difficult for a Man United team that is under pressure to win on Wednesday given their current situation. The Bavarians have a terrifying frontline that should have no trouble scoring against a porous Red Devils defense in their opening Group A match thanks to the clinical goalscorer Kane and numerous quick attackers.
Bayern Munich 3 – 1 Manchester United
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