Bayern Munich vs Benfica: The players to watch for Vincent Kompany's side
Bayern Munich have struggled so far in the Champions League, garnering a mere three points out of nine from their first three games. As a team that tends to start in the CL very well, FC Bayern have shown a strange weakness this season that they haven't in years past. What is even more strange is the fact that they have been underwhelming in Europe, while they have been a step-from-perfect in the Bundesliga: still undefeated with seven wins and two draws.
A big difference between the Bayern we see in the Bundesliga and the team we see in the Champions League is that one team is firing at free will while the other seems to be too timid to pull the trigger. But why? What is the cause of this incongruity?
FC Hollywood--as they have been dubbed since the 90s--has a myriad of star players. These star players, however, have been a tad bit inconsistent so far this year; they absolutely smashed Dinamo Zagreb only to get shut out by Aston Villa in the next game and then embarrassed by Barcelona in the last.
I personally believe that these last two games have been somewhat fluky, and we have all seen what Bayern looks like when they get rolling. I think this is the game that they will turn their luck around once again in the Champions League, and the following players are who I believe will be the three FC Bayern stars that you should keep your eye on for this incredibly important match on Wednesday.
Key players for Bayern vs Benfica in the Champions League
Jamal Musiala
Jamal Musiala has been nothing short of brilliant for FC Bayern this season. He is very much a Thomas Müller type of player: although his stat lines aren't mind-boggling, the fluidity in his play when you watch him in-game is considerably genius. Although Harry Kane is "the man" for Die Roten, Musiala is the glue that binds their attack together. At such a young age too, he already has stepped into his role of the "next generational talent" to play for FC Hollywood. I think that Musiala will play a very important role in shifting attention away from the next man on this list through dynamic and intelligent off-ball movement and creative playmaking.