Bayern Munich Look For Revenge Against Atletico Madrid
Bayern Munich host Atletico Madrid in their final group stage match of Champions League.
The German Champions have already qualified for the next round. Bayern Munich will finish second in the group irrespective of the outcomme of this game at Allianz Arena. The German side will be looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered in the reverse fixture.
Bayern Munich will be looking to continue the momentum they have gained with successive games in the league. Carlo Ancelotti’s men could have been in contention to finish first in the group if they had won in the game against FC Rostov.
On the other hand Atletico Madrid are enduring a poor form in the Spanish League. They have fallen behind in the title race as they languish at the fourth position in the league. Atletico have remained unbeaten in Champions League, winning all the five group games.
Team News-
Ancelotti admitted in his pre game press conference that he is going to make key rotations for this game. Holger Badstuber will be back in the squad after recovering from illness. Julian Green and Kingsley Coman will miss the game due to injuries.
In the defence Jerome Boateng will miss the game due to minor knock. Ancelotti also admitted that Philipp Lahm will feature for the Bavarians on Tuesday. The Italian has all midfielders available for the selection as Arturo Vidal and Xabi Alonso recovered from the minor issues.
Predicted XI-
Manuel Neuer- Juan Bernat, Javi Martinez,Mats Hummels,Philipp Lahm- Thiago, Joshua Kimmich, Renato Sanches-Douglas Costa,Robert Lewandowski,Franck Ribery
Opposition Focus-
Atletico Madrid have emphasised on playing more attacking football this season. The side which Bayern faced last year in Champions League semifinal was focussed on counterattacking football. Bayern dominated the possesion at Vicente Calderon earlier this season but Atletico created more clear cut chances.
Bayern should be wary of Yannick Carrasco on the flank as the Belgian has been heavily involved in the goals for the Spanish side this year. He is able to drag the defenders and create space for his fellow attacking players. Antoinne Griezmann is another player who can punish Bayern in the final third. His link up play with fellow Frenchman Kevin Gameiro has been impressive.
Bayern will have to dominate the midfield. They should stop the midfield pair of Gabi and Koke from playing the passes into the feet of the Athletico forwards. The Spanish side have a miser defence who have conceded only one goal in group stage. Bayern will be looking to be more efficient in taking their chances in the final third.
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Prediction- Bayern Munich 2-1 Atletico Madrid
With home advantage, Bayern will surely create chances and with their effeciency being improved in past two games, they will score games. Bayern have been leaky in defence this season so they will surely concede a goal but outscore their opponents.