Bayern Strikes
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Four key battles as Chelsea host Bayern Munich in CL

By Kiran Thakare

SINGAPORE - JULY 25: Marcos Alonso #3 of Chelsea FC and Kingsley Coman #29 of FC Bayern Muenchen competes for the ball during the International Champions Cup match between Chelsea FC and FC Bayern Munich at National Stadium on July 25, 2017 in Singapore. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images for ICC)
SINGAPORE - JULY 25: Marcos Alonso #3 of Chelsea FC and Kingsley Coman #29 of FC Bayern Muenchen competes for the ball during the International Champions Cup match between Chelsea FC and FC Bayern Munich at National Stadium on July 25, 2017 in Singapore. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images for ICC) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 21: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Joshua Kimmich of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and SC Paderborn 07 at Allianz Arena on February 22, 2020, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 21: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Joshua Kimmich of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and SC Paderborn 07 at Allianz Arena on February 22, 2020, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

Mateo Kovacic vs Joshua Kimmich

As usual, there will be one midfield battle in big games that will play a big role in the outcome of the game. Die Roten have a solid number six in Joshua Kimmich. The German midfielder has been a revelation for Bayern in midfield this season.

Kimmich has been dictating the play from the deep with his expansive passing range. His clever positioning also allows him to break the play and initiate counter-attacks when Rekordmeister are on the back foot.

The German international will have a unique competitor on Tuesday in Mateo Kovacic. After struggling under Maurizio Sarri, Kovacic has become one of the key players for Frank Lampard. The Croatian can beat the press with his dribbling and passing range. He also has a great eye for a pass in the final third, so it is dangerous to allow him to progress the ball beyond the second phase of the pitch.

Next. Five reasons why Bayern Munich can do well in CL this year. dark

Kimmich will have to make sure that Kovacic is quiet throughout the game. He can achieve this by closing him down as soon as he gets the ball. The two young midfielders are vital to their team’s plans on Tuesday, so one can expect an intense midfield battle between them.