Preview: Can Bayern find some much needed rhythm?
Pep Guardiola is being criticized; he has perhaps realized that at Bayern, it is only winning which matters. The Bavarians dominated every stat in Madrid except the one that mattered. The team has lost the explosiveness and adaptiveness which defined them under Jupp Heynckes. They have become what they were in 2009-10, a rather one-dimensional passing team highly reliant on moments of genius from their wingers and at times, attacking midfielders.
This match is important because Bayern needs to find their rhythm. Also, this is the perfect time for Guardiola to get his formula right. While a semifinal showing at the Champions League will not be considered failure, if Bayern does not play well in the upcoming two matches, Pep will undoubtedly come under further criticism.
The Bremen team his side will face has nine points more than bitter rivals, Hamburger SV. Hamburg occupies the relegation play-off berth. Because of a lower goal difference, Bremen technically require one more point to survive. And they will be more than willing to accept any gift Bayern offers, gifts which Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria did not accept in midweek, gifts which could have seen Bayern out of the Champions League before the second leg.
Toni Kroos returns from suspension for this one. Also, Daniel Van Buyten returns to the squad. Thiago Alcantara, Xherdan Shaqiri and Tom Starke are all out for the Bavarian side. Holger Badstuber is continuing his recovery and will not be available just yet. Rafinha, meanwhile, is suspended. Felix Kroos, the younger brother of Toni, returns to the Bremen squad following an injury lay-off. Clemens Fritz, Ozkan Yildirim and Predrag Stevanovic are out for Bremen.
Can Bremen secure the much needed point against Bayern?
Where to watch the match: Live Streams, Live Scores, Start Times, TV Channels
Watch Bayern München vs Werder Bremen live on Saturday, April 26, 2014:
In Canada at 09:30 ET on GolTV Canada
In the USA at 09:30 ET on GOLTV USA, MyGermanTV +
In Germany, viewers can tune into Sky Go amongst other networks to watch the match.
For the complete TV listings and live scores upon kick-off, visit the Bayern-Bremen match page.
