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Bayern Munich Gear Up For Quarterfinal Tie Against Schalke

By Kiran Thakare

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 27: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Xabi Alonso (L) and Thiago of FC Bayern Muenchen chat during a training session at the club's Saebener Strasse training ground on February 27, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by A. Beier/Getty Images for FC Bayern)
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 27: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Xabi Alonso (L) and Thiago of FC Bayern Muenchen chat during a training session at the club's Saebener Strasse training ground on February 27, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by A. Beier/Getty Images for FC Bayern) /
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Bayern Munich host Schalke FC in the quarterfinal of DFB Pokal Cup on Wednesday.

The Bavarians enter a crucial period where they have three games in a space of week in three different competitions. Bayern Munich face Schalke FC in DFB Pokal which is the first game of this three important games.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men then have one Bundesliga game against FC Koln and then face a Arsenal in the return leg of round of 16 in Champions League. Bayern Munich have one foot in Champions League’s round of eight after their big win in first leg. The German giants reached the quarterfinal stage of the cup after defeating Wolfsburg in previous round.

On the other hand Schalke come in to this tie with a very good outings in their past few matches. They held Bayern Munich for a 1-1 draw in Bundesliga couple of weeks ago. Schalke have progressed in the next round of Europa League last week. They come into this fixture with a lot of confidence.

Team News

Ancelotti admitted in pre-game press conference that this game could mark the comeback of Franck Ribery. The Frenchman remained an unused substitute in the weekend’s game against Hamburg. He could make his return from thigh injury on Wednesday. Renato Sanches is going to miss this game due to illness.

Xabi Alonso is likely to make the squad after recovering from the knock that kept him out of game against Hamburg. Jerome Boateng continues to train outdoors, but still not completely fit to play. Apart from him, Bayern Munich will make a late call on David Alaba who is facing a small problem.

Predicted XI

Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that there will be hardly any rotation as they enter a crucial phase of the season. Bayern are going to go with their best eleven in this game. The back four might see one change due to concern over fitness of Alaba. Juan Bernat will join Javi Martinez, Mats Hummels and Philipp Lahm to complete the defence along with Manuel Neuer in the goal.

The Italian will likely stick to the two man midfield after the performance on weekend. Thiago Alcantara will surely keep his place while Xabi Alonso will come in place of Arturo Vidal. Thomas Muller deserves to start in attacking midfield position after performance against Hamburg. Ribery will replace Douglas Costa while Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski keep their places in attack.

Neuer- Bernat,Hummels,Martinez,Lahm- Thiago,Alonso- Ribery,Muller,Robben- Lewandowski

Opposition Focus

Schalke come into the game with great confidence. Bayern could face a similar face in their defence as Holger Badstuber is likely to feature. The Bavarians will have to work hard for their goals as Schalke have a decent defence. Naldo, Badstuber and Benedikt Howedes will keep things tight at the back for the visitors.

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They have scored good amount of goals lately. Schalke can capitalise the lack of pace in Bayern’s centerback pair through Yevhen Konoplyanka. The visitors can cause problems on  set pieces as they have an experienced striker in Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Bayern will have to fight hard for win in this game as they had to do for a draw in Bundesliga against the same opposition.

Prediction

Bayern Munich 2-1 Schalke FC

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