When the UCL draw was announced last month, Bayern Munich and their fans were feeling awfully confident. Having avoided the La Liga duo Barcelona and Real Madrid - the latter of whom dumped them out of the tournament last season - die Roten captain Phillip Lahm uttered a statement that he may be really thinking over now:
"There are trickier opponents [than Porto] but they have shown their quality". His teammates Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer were equally optimistic regarding their chances when paired with Porto. "It could have been worse...but we'll have to watch out," the second-highest German goal scorer in Champions League history noted to reporters.
And for Ballon d'Or nominee Neuer, whose heroics at Schalke during the 2007-2008 edition helped them to the quarter-finals at the expense of the Dragões, reflected on his "good experiences" and "satisfaction with the draw".
Well, a lot has changed since then, unfortunately for the team and their supporters. In the passing weeks, growing injuries have dealt a blow to Pep Guardiola's once seemingly indestructible side as they ruthlessly pursue a Treble this season. In their 3-1 defeat to Porto, they were without the services of Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, David Alaba, and Mehdi Benatia.
Injuries have decimated Guardiola's dominant side, who are now reeling after being outclassed by Porto
And today, in his press conference, he delivered some more concerning news:
#FCBPK vor #TSGFCB – Pep: „Ich denke, #Alonso & #Götze können morgen spielen." #Lahm fehlt krankheitsbedingt. pic.twitter.com/I8H76O94EH
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) April 17, 2015
"I think that Alonso and Gotze will be able to play tomorrow, [but] Lahm is sick"
Fortunately for die Roten supporters, their team does not have much to worry about domestically as the Bundesliga title looks truly certain to remain in Munich for another season. Of course, a win over Hoffenheim, a team that they have never lost to will certainly be a nice way to rebound and re-group ahead of their make-or-break re-match with Porto next week.
Bayern Munich should not have too much concern on the domestic front with their current standing
Hoffenheim do not have much luck against their upcoming visitors. As noted before, they have yet to win against die Roten and have lost nine out of their 13 past matches. Additionally, they also suffered their worst ever loss against Bayern Munich - in March 2012 - when they were absolutely demolished 7-1 at the Allianz Arena.
Markus Gisdol, who recently put pen to paper on a new deal keeping him put into 2018, has guided Hoffenheim, who back in 2000 were in Germany football's fifth division to within touching distance of a Europa League berth. Still, the hosts have failed to win four out of their last five matches across all competitions, with three straight losses in which they have conceded ten goals.
Worrying numbers indeed as they prepare to welcome a wounded giant who has scorred a whopping 74 goals this season. Both teams will be heading into this going for a win, but it will be interesting how Guardiola opts to use his already stretched resources with one eye firmly focused on their crucial game in Munich looming on the near horizon.
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