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Amidst a wind of rumors suggesting a move for the Bayern Munich shot-stopper Manuel Neuer to Manchester City, the two giants in their respective leagues will featured in a clash for the bragging rights that accompanies topping one’s group in the Champions League this Tuesday.
Bayern Munich: WWWWW
Bayern Munich are currently at the top of the Bundesliga, 4 points clear of their nearest competitor Leverkusen. Not only that, but they are also the current record holders for the longest winning streak by any team in the Champions League. Coupled with the return of their ace winger, Franck Ribery, and captain fantastic, Phillip Lahm, Bayern appear to be the better side on paper.
And with factors such as the home support they will receive on 10th at the Allianz Arena, and a soaring spirit after a 3-1 dismissal of Manchester City earlier in the group stages at the Etihad, Bayern are likely to emerge as the winners of this encounter. Pep Guardiola, Bayern’s new manager, will definitely look forward to scoring more brownie points with the fans, and will therefore, leave no stone unturned in putting together the best team possible with his current crop of players.Despite not having the services of Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern will still have an attack which is the furthest thing imaginable from one’s idea of ‘toothless’.
Mario Mandzukic will fight it out with Gotze for the starting position, but being more suited to the role of a striker, the position is likely to be his. Gotze might be rested, with Martinez playing in the role of an attacking midfielder if Lahm manages to achieve full fitness before the clash. If Lahm were to remain on the bench, Martinez is more likely to feature in a defensive role, with either Thiago Alcantara or Gotze playing as an attacking midfielder.
Player to look out for: Franck Ribery
Probable line-up:- Neuer, Rafinha, Dante, Boateng, Alaba, Lahm, Martinez, Muller, Kroos, Ribery, Mandzukic
Manchester City: LWWWD
Manchester City are looking forward to their first successful (or even decent) European campaign since they were taken over by their multi-Billionaire Qatari owners. With a goal difference that is 6 lower than Bayern Munich, nothing short of a miracle will see them top the group, but having won every other encounter in Europe this season, they have already booked a spot in the knockout rounds. With nothing to win or lose, Manchester City will be playing their best football only to exact revenge for their earlier loss. And the return of David Silva imminent, Bayern will have to work hard for their 11th consecutive win.
Since the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City have been performing far better in Europe, and they’ll be hoping to continue their relatively good vein of form.
One of the most important clashes in this game will be the competition between Joe Hart and the Bayern attack. After a series of sub-par performances, Joe Hart will fight tooth and nail to outperform his Bayern Munich goalkeeping counterpart, who is currently part of Manchester City’s plan to have a more reliable goalkeeper. But that is easier said than done, with a relentless Bayern attack who will punish any slip-ups by Kompany & Co, and a Manuel Neuer who has only conceded once in his last 5 games. If Joe Hart wants to make a comeback, then a clean sheet against Bayern will do him a world of good.
Player to look out for: Samir Nasri
Probable line-up:- Hart, Kolarov, Kompany, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Nasri, Negredo, Garcia, Toure, Aguero, Negredo
Implications:
On paper, none. Bayern have already topped the group unless Manchester City win by a margin of 7 goals, but it will serve as an important outing for Joe Hart, so that he can prove himself, and as a great scouting opportunity for Manuel Pellegrini to see the ‘other’ Manuel in action. A win for either side or a draw will see both qualifying comfortably, but beating a behemoth like Bayern will do no harm to Manchester City’s morale, while beating Manchester City and extending Bayern’s winning run to 11 games is all Guardiola would want from this encounter.
Prediction: FC Bayern Munich 1-1 Manchester City
