Bayern takes on Manchester City in a bid to utterly take control of Group A in the Champions League.
‘Sizzling Bayern’- This is what a newspaper had to say this morning. The performance against Leverkusen was not exactly sizzling. However, when the match is utterly completed by the 20th minute, one cannot expect a team to push on with an important match in midweek. Bayern at the moment is simply unstoppable.
The world already knew that they had a fantastic attack, perhaps one of the top five attacks in Europe. Beating Bayern in an ‘attacking shoot-out’ is pretty difficult. They have goals written all over the team. Eleven different players have registered for Bayern in all competitions this season. The problem was the defence.
For Manchester City, this will be an interesting stat: ten different teams have attempted to score past Bayern in eleven matches and only one team has succeeded.
The mood at the Bayern camp is brilliant at the moment. Manchester City players must be feeling good too after a victory by two goals over Everton saw them level on points with Manchester United at the top of the league table. United knows all about Bayern. Aside from the 1999 final, United’s memories of Bayern are mostly bitter.
City is undoubtedly a fantastic side. Uli Hoeness and Karl Heinz Rummenigge have let the press know they don’t particularly like the English club. However, the players and Jupp Heynckes only have respect for the project that has seen City rise meteorically over two seasons. Some believe they can even win this competition.
Bayern is extremely fluid in switching from defence to attack. This is exactly where Manchester City might be unstuck. Against Everton, they had problems to get fluid attacks going. Gareth Barry will need to be on his heels. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Luis Gustavo are a fantastic pairing in defensive midfield and Barry will not want to give the ball away.
Roberto Mancini played Bayern as head-coach of Inter Milan previously. However, the Bayern he played was very different to today’s team. Back then, Bastian Schweinsteiger was a winger. Mancini will know that City needs to win this game much more than Bayern in light of their opening day result. A draw will suit Bayern.
Mancini, though, must feel a bit flushed looking at Bayern’s full strength squad. Arjen Robben replaced Toni Kroos on Saturday for about 15 minutes and got his name on the score-sheet. While City themselves are not short of brilliant players, they must have respect for the Bayern squad. Ivica Olic and Breno will be the only two absentees.
Since Mancini is defensive minded, he might pull Yaya Toure back into defensive midfield to help out if he does not opt to start Nigel de Jong. If he does start De Jong, Bayern will come to know what it feels like to play against a very similar player to the one that was their captain not too long ago- yes; it is Mark Van Bommel I am talking about. De Jong has travelled to Munich.
The Bayern fans might regret the fact that Mancini did not incorporate Owen Hargreaves in his squad. Hargreaves played for Bayern in the best portion of his career and was a member of the last Champions League winning Bayern side in 2001.
I will try and predict this by current form. Bayern will be on the attack and City will perhaps soak up the pressure. Mancini might instead decide to test the Bayern defence from the get-go too.
Prediction: Bayern 2-1 Manchester City.
The world already knew that they had a fantastic attack, perhaps one of the top five attacks in Europe. Beating Bayern in an ‘attacking shoot-out’ is pretty difficult. They have goals written all over the team. Eleven different players have registered for Bayern in all competitions this season. The problem was the defence.
For Manchester City, this will be an interesting stat: ten different teams have attempted to score past Bayern in eleven matches and only one team has succeeded.
The mood at the Bayern camp is brilliant at the moment. Manchester City players must be feeling good too after a victory by two goals over Everton saw them level on points with Manchester United at the top of the league table. United knows all about Bayern. Aside from the 1999 final, United’s memories of Bayern are mostly bitter.
City is undoubtedly a fantastic side. Uli Hoeness and Karl Heinz Rummenigge have let the press know they don’t particularly like the English club. However, the players and Jupp Heynckes only have respect for the project that has seen City rise meteorically over two seasons. Some believe they can even win this competition.
Bayern is extremely fluid in switching from defence to attack. This is exactly where Manchester City might be unstuck. Against Everton, they had problems to get fluid attacks going. Gareth Barry will need to be on his heels. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Luis Gustavo are a fantastic pairing in defensive midfield and Barry will not want to give the ball away.
Roberto Mancini played Bayern as head-coach of Inter Milan previously. However, the Bayern he played was very different to today’s team. Back then, Bastian Schweinsteiger was a winger. Mancini will know that City needs to win this game much more than Bayern in light of their opening day result. A draw will suit Bayern.
Mancini, though, must feel a bit flushed looking at Bayern’s full strength squad. Arjen Robben replaced Toni Kroos on Saturday for about 15 minutes and got his name on the score-sheet. While City themselves are not short of brilliant players, they must have respect for the Bayern squad. Ivica Olic and Breno will be the only two absentees.
Since Mancini is defensive minded, he might pull Yaya Toure back into defensive midfield to help out if he does not opt to start Nigel de Jong. If he does start De Jong, Bayern will come to know what it feels like to play against a very similar player to the one that was their captain not too long ago- yes; it is Mark Van Bommel I am talking about. De Jong has travelled to Munich.
The Bayern fans might regret the fact that Mancini did not incorporate Owen Hargreaves in his squad. Hargreaves played for Bayern in the best portion of his career and was a member of the last Champions League winning Bayern side in 2001.
I will try and predict this by current form. Bayern will be on the attack and City will perhaps soak up the pressure. Mancini might instead decide to test the Bayern defence from the get-go too.
Prediction: Bayern 2-1 Manchester City.
