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UEFA Champions League is set to take place tomorrow as the mighty Bayern Munich locks horns with a feisty Lyon side at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon. Bayern Munich is the indisputable favourite to win this fixture and is arguably the best team in the world at the moment.
Lyon, however, will have several tricks up its sleeve and will try to hamper Bayern Munich's domination on the pitch. The French club did an excellent job against Manchester City in the quarterfinal and will have to take it up a notch against the Bayern Munich.
Lyon faces a massive test against in-form Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich is one of the most dangerous teams in the continent and Barcelona knows that all too well. Hansi Flick's juggernaut ruthlessly dismanted the Catalans last week and will look to put in a similar performance against a Lyon side that is riding high on confidence.
Lyon maintained rigid defensive lines in its surprise 3-1 victory over Manchester City and will have to be at its absolute best to stand a chance to Bayern Munich. The Bavarians have quality all over the pitch and the tactical setup of the two teams in set to create several intriguing battles.
#5 Thomas Muller vs Bruno Guimaraes
Thomas Muller is arguably the most intelligent footballer in the world at the moment. The German attacker has been one of the leaders of the Bayern Munich squad this season and was one of the best players on the pitch against Barcelona.
The German international picked up two goals and an assist in the first 45 minutes against Barcelona and his presence on the pitch results in several chances for his side. Muller is known for his ability to read situations in the game and take advantage of them and it will be up to Bruno Guimaraes to nullify the experienced forward's threat.
Guimaraes has played only 8 games for Lyon so far but was impressive against Manchester City and foiled many of Pep Guardiola's plans in the midfield. The youngster will have his hands full tomorrow and has an excellent opportunity to prove himself against one of the most dangerous players in the Champions League.
#4 Alphonso Davies vs Leo Dubois
The football world is starting to run out of adjectives to describe Alphonso Davies. The Canadian sensation has taken the Champions League by storm this season and neither Barcelona nor Chelsea could handle the electric pace and physicality of the supremely talented Bayern Munich left-back.
Alphonso Davies won his battle with Lionel Messi against Barcelona and left Nelson Semedo red-faced with an incredible run that created Joshua Kimmich's goal. The Bayern Munich star looks unstoppable at the moment and Lyon right-back Leo Dubois will not particularly relish facing the in-form defender.
The Frenchman did not have a comfortable night against Raheem Sterling and Joao Cancelo last week but held his own to ensure that Lyon passed its litmus test. Alphonso Davies and Bayern Munich are in a league of their own, however, and Dubois will have to play the game of his life to win this particular battle.
Also Read: 5 ideal replacements for Quique Setien at Barcelona
#3 Jerome Boateng vs Memphis Depay
On his day, Memphis Depay is capable of sheer magic and can cause Bayern Munich several problems in the final third. The Dutchman is one of the most dangerous players in Lyon's starting eleven and his free role under Rudi Garcia makes him a slippery customer.
The striker did not get on to the scoresheet against Manchester City but played an important role in disrupting the Premier League giants' fluid passing movements in the middle of the pitch. Depay is one of the biggest names in this Lyon side and has to step up against Bayern Munich.
Jerome Boateng is arguably the weakest link in a near-flawless Bayern Munich side and will have to be focussed to deal with an in-form Memphis Depay. The German defender did not have much to do against Barcelona but may have a few problems on his hands in this fixture.
#2 Leon Goretzka vs Houssem Aouar
Leon Goretzka's career has transformed this season. The German star has grown into one of the best midfielders in the world under Hansi Flick and was the unsung hero in Bayern Munich's 8-2 demolition of Barcelona. Goretzka is Bayern Munich's midfield engine and his tenacity and energy in the middle of the pitch are crucial to Bayern Munich's suffocating press.
Goretzka is crucial to Bayern Munich's style of play and the prodigious Houssem Aouar has to get the better of midfield counterpart if Lyon is to stand a chance in this game. Aouar can combat Goretzka's physicality with impeccable trickery and caused Manchester City several problems last week.
The young midfielder is also capable of putting in a defensive shift in midfield and his pace will be primarily used to disrupt Bayern Munich's attacks. With Houssem Aouar on the pitch, Leon Goretzka may not find it particularly easy to pull the strings for Bayern Munich.
#1 Robert Lewandowski vs Marcelo
Robert Lewandowski is the best striker in the world at the moment. The Bayern Munich hitman can turn a game on its head and has been ruthless in the final third this season. Lewandowski was a constant threat against Barcelona and Chelsea and his ability to make the most of the slightest of chances makes him Bayern Munich's most lethal player.
Marcelo showed plenty of grit and determination when Lyon kept Manchester City at bay and will have to drum up a few more of his talents against the Polish striker. Robert Lewandowski rarely lets mistakes go unpunished and Marcelo has to be extremely wary of the striker's presence.
Bayern Munich is set to dominate large sections of the match and a lapse in concentration from the Lyon defence could prove to be catastrophic. Lewandowski is known for his ability to score on big occasions and it rarely gets bigger than a one-legged Champions League knockout tie.
