Bayern Munich: Three things to watch in home match against Benfica

Bayern Munich hosts Benfica on Matchday Four of the UEFA Champions League group stage. After defeating Benfica 4-0 on Matchday Three, Bayern will be looking for another resounding victory to secure progression to the Round of 16. Here are three things to watch for ahead of Tuesday’s match.

Securing a spot in the Round of 16

Entering this match, Bayern lead Group E by five points as Benfica occupy second place with four points. Barcelona is six points adrift of Bayern in third place and Dynamo Kyiv trail by eight points in fourth place. With Bayern holding a large advantage in the table, they can secure a place in the Round of 16 with a victory against Benfica on Tuesday. Furthermore, if Dynamo Kyiv can hold Barcelona to at least a draw, then Bayern will win the group as long as they defeat Benfica.

Last season Bayern was able to secure their group after Matchday Four and it could be the same storyline this time around. They registered an undefeated record in the group stage in the last term. In fact, the last time Bayern lost a Champions League group stage match was in the 2017/18 campaign.

Robert Lewandowski’s scoring steak

Lewandowski has scored in all three of his Champions League appearances this season. On Tuesday, he will look to add to his five-goal total when Bayern faces Benfica. In their last meeting, Lewandowski scored one goal and produced three shots.

If Lewandowski can register a multi-goal performance against Benfica, it could allow him to take over the top scorer spot in the Champions League. Ajax’s Sebastien Haller leads the way so far with six goals in three appearances.

A goal against Benfica would give Lewandowski 20 goals in all competitions for Bayern so far this season. The striker scored 48 goals in all competitions in the last term and is nearing halfway of that mark in the current term. It’s shaping up to be another incredible goalscoring season for the 33-year-old.

No goals allowed

Bayern is just one of two clubs left who have yet to concede a goal in the Champions League group stage. Juventus are the other club that has been able to hold their opponents at bay thus far. With three group stage fixtures remaining, it’s plausible that Die Roten could not concede a goal for the remainder of the group stage. It would be an accomplishment for Bayern’s backline to finish the campaign with no goals allowed, and with only one other club having the same record they could be the only club to not concede a single goal when all is said and done.