The measuring stick which is used to assess Bayern's performance in a season is almost always the UEFA Champions League. This is because the Bundesliga is, more often than not, a mere procession for them. Since Borussia Dortmund won the double in 2012, Bayern has made light work of the Bundesliga. This season, despite a rather awkward start to the second half of it, they are eight points ahead of nearest challengers, Dieter Hecking's Wolfsburg. They suffered a 4-1 defeat to Wolfsburg upon the resumption of the league. They drew 1-1 against Schalke in their following fixture. During the weekend however, they put Hamburg to the sword in an amazing display of quick football, 8-0.
Now, the Bavarians must negotiate a tricky trip to Ukraine to Shakhtar Donetsk. The political situation has made life difficult for Shakhtar and the remainder of the team. The Ukrainian Premier League has not resumed yet and thus, Shakhtar, has not had any match practice as well. Bayern have never played the team from Donetsk in any matches before. This will be the first meeting of the two sides in the UEFA Champions League.
Shakhtar has a full squad to choose from aside from the suspended Taras Stepanenk. Javi Martinez, captain Philipp Lahm and Thiago Alcantara are out for Bayern. Xabi Alonso is a doubt, having missed the match against Hamburger SV with a thigh issue. The Brazilian Rafinha picked up a slight knock recently but should make it for this one. Franck Ribery might be able to play from the start, having returned against HSV. He scored the seventh goal in that match.
Will Shakhtar shock Bayern? Or will Bayern return victorious from Ukraine? Interested in learning how you can watch the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League? Check out our UEFA Champions League Multi-Platform Broadcast Guide.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich team sheets
Shakhtar's Starting XI: Pyatov, Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk, Fred, Fernando, Costa, Teixeira, Taison, Adriano.
Bayern's Starting XI: Neuer - Alonso, Ribéry, Robben, Rafinha, Boateng, Bernat, Götze, Müller, Alaba, Schweinsteiger.
Shakhtar's Subs: Kanibolotskiy, Kryvtsov, Azevedo, Marlos, Ilsinho, Wellington Nem, Gladkiy.
Bayern's Subs: Reina, Starke - Dante, Lewandowski, Rode, Badstuber, Weiser.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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