Bayern Munich host Atletico Madrid at the Allianz Arena in Munich in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final. Atletico lead the Bavarians in the tie. Munich manager, Pep Guardiola will be eager to win this tie, given that this is his last shot at Champions League glory with the German giants.
Bayern are trailing in the semi-finals courtesy Saul Niguez’s wonder goal in the first leg held in Madrid at the Vicente Calderon. Atletico had successfully managed to keep a clean sheet against Bayern Munich’s high profile attack in the first leg and will be hoping to do so in the second leg.
Team News
Bayern Munich: Winger Arjen Robben and defender Holger Badstuber will miss the match with injuries. Jerome Boateng should be part of the team after playing in the Bundesliga match against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Also read: Fernando Torres says Bayern Munich is the toughest team Atletico Madrid have faced this season
Atletico Madrid: The Los Rojiblancos will receive a major boost as their captain Diego Godin returns after missing the first leg through a hamstring injury. Striker Yannick Carrasco has also been declared fit. Portuguese central midfielder Tiago is also out with a broken leg.
Probable line-ups
Bayern Munich (4-1-4-1): Neuer; Lahm, Martinez, Alaba, Benatia; Alonso; Coman, Costa, Vidal, Muller; Lewandowski
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Luis; Saul, Gabi, Koke, Fernandez; Griezmann, Torres
Form Guide.
Bayern Munich: Guardiola’s Bayern Munich have not been in great form. They drew their last Bundesliga game against Borussia Monchengladbach and lost the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
Bayern Munich last 5 matches (D-W-W-L-D): Last match Bayern Munich 1-1 Borussia Moenchengladbach
Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrid have been in impressive form of late. They have kept a clean sheet in each of their past six games, winning all of them scoring nine goals in the process. This impressive run of form includes their results against Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Atletico Madrid last 5 matches (W-W-W-W-W): Last match Atletico Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
What the managers have to say
Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola spoke ahead of the important clash, “We mustn't think about how many goals we must score. We need think first about defending well and controlling the game. We want possession and we want goals. Atleti defend very well, but they are also going good up front. It is complicated to play a team like them. They know each other so very well. We will create chances, if perhaps not too many.”
Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone would be looking to make it into another Champions League final and had this to say, “Football is a fantastic sport and there's a variety of ways to play it, depending on the players at your disposal. Our work over the last few years is paying dividends now. We have experienced guys mixed with some new players and they are all really great to work with them. That is reflected by our results.”
Key Battles
Robert Lewandowski vs Diego Godin
Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller are two of the top forwards in world football today. The Polish international though will be Bayern's main threat in front of goal and will look to take the German side into the final.
In the way of the Bayern attack would be one of the best defenders in the world, Diego Godin. Atletico managed to keep a clean sheet in the first leg and will be hoping their defence is up to the mark in the away leg of the tie, especially after the return Godin, who missed the first game.
Fernando Torres vs Javi Martinez
Fernando Torres has been in great form over the past few games, having scored five goals in the last eight games for Atletico Madrid. El Nino has of late shown the form he had shown during his days with Liverpool. Torres has looked sharp, full of pace and power and will be looking to torment the Bayern defence on the counter-attack.
Javi Martinez should start this game against Atletico. He often looks susceptible against pacy dribblers, a fact which could be exploited by Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres.
Prediction
Atletico will again produce a commanding defensive display against Bayern Munich and most likely keep another clean sheet, securing their passage to the finals of the Champions League.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Atletico Madrid
