Tuesday 6 December 2011

Champions League - Manchester City vs Bayern Muenchen Preview

Wednesday will see the clash of two league leaders when Manchester City hosts FC Bayern Muenchen in Group A Matchday 6 play.  While Bayern is already qualified for the Round of 16, Manchester City, which has taken a five point lead in Barclay's cannot pass to the Round of 16 without the help of  Villareal.  City presently holds third place in Group A with 7 points, with Napoli holding second with 8.  Villareal has not won a single game. 

Bayern comes to Manchester, having recovered from two successive losses to Borussia Dortmund and Mainz 05, with a weekend victory of 4-1 over Werder Bremen.  Manchester City leads the Premier league with five points, having defeated Norwich 5-1 on the weekend. 

Although Bayern has already qualified, the match is a matter of confidence building.  Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes will have the challenge to continue to build the flow of play from the midfield to the strikers, a skill that has been lacking since the absence of Bastian Schweinsteiger due to a broken collar bone.   Defeating Manchester City will also be a matter of prestige and confidence building.  Bayern will want to continue on its winning ways at Eastlands on Wednesday.

Manchester City's recent games include a 1-1 against Liverpool and wins over Arsenal (1-0) and Norwich (5-1).  Manchester will line up at Eastlands with a full slate, while Bayern still has Bastian Schweinsteiger and Breno out of action.   The absence of Schweinsteiger, Munich's on pitch leader and midfield director, has been a particular problem for Jupp Heyncke's.  Toni Kroos and Arjen Robben did not travel to Manchester due to the flu.   This will have an impact on the outcome.  Bayern's strength is its bench and not unsolveable for Heyncke.

Boateng will be returning to the Eastlands to face his former teammates,  an opportunity to show his stuff as a Bayern first stringer.  




While it is difficult to predict the outcome, one thing is certain, the clash of the two league leaders will be a demonstration of two top notch teams from England and Germany.   This is a must win for City and a matter of prestige for Bayern.  A City win is no guarantee to move on to the Group of 16.  A miracle is needed in the Napoli/Villareal match.

Prediction - This will be a close match, but Manchester's survival in the Champions League is at stake.  City has to go for it from the start.  Expect quick counters by Bayern.  2-1 Bayern.

2 comments:

  1. sounds like a great match....will be looking forward to the game " Go Bayern Munich Go "

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  2. Regardless of the outcome, spectators should be treated to a delight.

    ReplyDelete