UCL Preview: Bayern Munich look to eliminate Barcelona on matchday 5
The last few weeks have been serene for Bayern Munich as they have got their season back on track after a poor September. The Bavarian club has been unbeaten across all competitions since the last international break. Bayern has also managed to book a place in the first knockout round of the Champions League by winning the first four games of Group C.
Die Roten will be looking to cement their place at the top of the points table when they travel to Camp Nou on Wednesday. Along with extending the good run of form, the added incentive for Bayern is that win at Camp Nou will eliminate Barcelona from the competition. The Spanish club’s hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 took a major blow when Inter Milan managed to take a point from Camp Nou on matchday four. Julian Nagelsmann will be eager to extend the unbeaten run in the Champions League to further boost his team’s confidence.
Team News
Manuel Neuer is set to miss the game against Barcelona as he continues to struggle with a shoulder injury. The German international has been out of action for the past couple of weeks due to this injury. Meanwhile, Kingsley Coman has recovered from the knock he suffered against Hoffenheim to travel with the squad.
Leroy Sane has started training on the pitch, but the game against Barcelona comes too soon for the German forward. Lucas Hernandez will also miss out as he inches closer to his comeback from an adductor injury. Thomas Muller is also part of the travelling squad. Meanwhile, Bouna Sarr is the only long-term absentee for the defending German Champions.
Predicted Starting XI
Sven Ulreich kept a clean sheet against Hoffenheim on Saturday. The German goalkeeper has done a more than decent job in the absence of Neuer. He will be looking to extend this good run of form by keeping a clean sheet at Camp Nou.
Nagelsmann may look to rotate in the heart of defense on Wednesday. Dayot Upamecano may get a breather, allowing Benjamin Pavard to start in the central defense. Matthijs de Ligt will partner with the French international in the middle of the back four. Alphonso Davies and Noussair Mazraoui will start in the full-back positions at Camp Nou.
The German coach has not rotated in the midfield department over the last few games. Considering the magnitude of the game, Nagelsmann is unlikely to drastic changes in the center of the park. Leon Goretzka will start in the number eight role, while Joshua Kimmich will slot in the holding midfield role.
In the final third, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is likely to make way for Sadio Mane in the number nine role. Having a flexible front four may help Die Roten in creating more chances against Barcelona. Jamal Musiala, Thomas Muller, and Kingsley Coman are likely to start behind Mane on Wednesday.
"UlreichMazraoui-Pavard-De Ligt-DaviesGoretzka-KimmichMuller-Musiala-ComanMane"
Takeaways from comfortable win against Hoffenheim. dark. Next
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Score Prediction
Barcelona 1-3 Bayern Munich
Barcelona is expected to start strongly, so we are expecting them to get the early goal. However, Bayern will eventually take control of the game and come up with a convincing result.