Author: Vishwajit Sawant
When the two best teams in the Opta Power Rankings met in the UEFA Champions League, you’d expect a match between soccer’s elite. However, Manchester City’s phenomenal performance rekindled their fans’ hopes of European glory, securing a three-goal lead going into the second leg at the Allianz Arena.
However, the match is far from a mere formality for Bayern Munich, who have won all four of their home games in the UCL this season, scoring 11 goals and keeping a clean sheet in the process. However, City are unbeaten away from home in the tournament this season, winning one and drawing three.
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City’s impressive record against German opposition in the UCL also represents a significant challenge for Bayern, as they have lost just one of their last 20 games against Bundesliga teams, winning 16 and drawing three. They’re also unbeaten in nine knockout games against German opposition, with eight wins and one draw.
Despite these statistics, Bayern can take solace in their history of not losing both legs of a knockout round after losing the first leg by three goals or more, having suffered this fate only twice against Real Madrid in the 2013-14 semi-finals and 2016-17 quarter-finals, both when Guardiola was their coach.
1st leg result: Manchester City 3-0 Bayern Munich
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Last week, Bayern Munich’s visit to Manchester City turned into a nightmare as they suffered their worst margin of defeat against an English side in all European competition. City maintained their dominance throughout the game and scored three goals, with Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland and Rodri getting their names on the scoresheet. Interestingly, Rodri’s goal marked his UEFA Champions League debut, and it’s worth noting that 44% of his goals for City have come from outside the box. City could have added to their tally, as they had nine shots on goal – the most Bayern Munich have faced in a UEFA Champions League knockout match since the 2016-17 quarter-final against Real Madrid.
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While Pep Guardiola celebrated the win, Thomas Tuchel became the third coach to lose his first match in charge of Bayern in the competition. Guardiola is now one step away from joining the elite group of managers who have reached 100 wins in the competition, alongside Carlo Ancelotti and Alex Ferguson. Guardiola should achieve this feat in just 158 games, much faster than Ancelotti and Ferguson. If City manage to win again on Wednesday, Guardiola’s tally of victories in the UEFA Champions League will reach 100, solidifying his position as one of the competition’s greatest managers.
Team news and predictions
Bayern Munich team news
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A heated argument between Mane and Sane during a match at the Etihad Stadium escalated into a fight in the dressing room, with reports suggesting that Mane punched his teammate, resulting in a swollen lip. As a result, Mané was withdrawn from the team for the Hoffenheim match at the weekend. However, Tuchel confirmed that Mané will return for the second leg, but names like Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez, Paul Wanner and Gabriel Marusic will be out.
On a brighter note, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has been an unlikely hero with 17 goals this season, has returned to training after recovering from a knee injury. It remains to be seen whether he will be considered fit enough to start the second leg.
Manchester City team news
Meanwhile, Guardiola only has to deal with Phil Foden’s absence due to appendix surgery, but he is expected to return before the end of the month.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2-2 Manchester City
Aggregate score: Bayern Munich 2-5 Manchester City