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The grueling UEFA Champions League returns after three months as German powerhouse, Bayern Munich, play host to Red Star Belgrade in a Group B clash. The match is slated to take place on September 18 at the Allianz Arena.
Although the Bavarians are up against a side that isn't popularly tipped to break into the knockout stages due to other teams such as Tottenham Hotspur and Olympiacos, they must be wary of the fact that Red Star have emerged victorious in each of their domestic league matches - six wins out of six.
Further, it's important to note that the visitors head into this fixture having brushed four teams aside in the qualifiers.
Free-flowing Bayern, who have accumulated eight points from their opening four Bundesliga matches, will be riding on the shooting boots of Robert Lewandowski. The sharpshooter is already up to seven goals for the season.
To further boost the above argument; Bayern have netted at least one goal in each of their previous 28 Champions League encounters at home.
While the hosts were eliminated from the UCL last season by eventual champions Liverpool, Red Star finished bottom of their group - which consisted of the likes of Liverpool, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain.
Further, let's look at the team news and possible starting XI of both outfits.
Team News
Bayern Munich:
Besides injuries to David Alaba and Leon Goretzka, Niko Kovac has a full squad to pick from in the opener against Red Star. Summer signing Lucas Hernandez should slot across to left-back, while we could see a Boateng-Sule partnership at the heart of the Bayern defence.
Besides, Philippe Coutinho, who came off the bench against RB Leipzig, should be given the nod at the No. 10 position ahead of Thomas Muller.
Red Star Belgrade:
Vladan Milojevic too, has a near full squad to choose from, with the only absentee being Portuguese striker Tomane.
Probable Line-ups
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Benjamin Pavard, Niklas Sule, Jerome Boateng, Lucas Hernandez; Joshua Kimmich, Thiago Alacantra; Kingsley Coman, Philippe Coutinho, Serge Gnabry; Robert Lewandowski
Red Star Belgrade (4-2-3-1): Milan Borjan; Marko Gobeljic, Milos Degenek, Srdan Babic, Milan Rodic; Jose Canas, Dusan Jovancic; Ben Nabouhane, Marko Marin, Aleksa Vukanovic; Milan Pavkov
