High Stakes: Bayern Munich host Benfica in crucial Champions League showdown

Bayern Munich are set to host Benfica on the fourth matchday of the Champions League league stage. The Bavarian club is currently 23rd in the points table. Bayern were top-ranked after demolishing Dinamo Zagreb 9–2 on the first matchday, but two consecutive losses to Aston Villa and FC Barcelona caused a significant drop. 

Given Bayern’s poor position in the league table, it is imperative that they beat the Portuguese side to be in contention for a top 8 finish. While it’s too early to guarantee anything with regard to the final state of the table, one can still estimate that it will be complicated for Bayern to squeeze inside the first 8 direct qualification spots if they drop points against Benfica.

Top form in the Bundesliga could boost UCL performance

Bayern have hit the ground running in the Bundesliga this season after a disappointing previous campaign which saw them lose the Meisterschahle after 11 straight years. Die Roten are unbeaten in the league (seven wins and two draws), accumulating 23 points which positions them first on the table.

Since the heavy defeat in Barcelona, they have won their next three domestic games, scoring 12 goals and keeping clean sheets in each of them. This run of form will ensure they go into the game against Benfica with a lot of confidence. Additionally, their dominant record in the Allianz Arena this season will also be a huge factor (5 games, 4 wins, 1 draw, goals scored- 19).

Kompany focused on getting a win and not on the points table situation

Kompany has hardly put a foot wrong this season when it comes to managing the team and talking to media after good and bad moments. The Belgian coach still has a lot to prove, but he couldn't have asked for a better start to life in Munich.

Ahead of the clash against Benfica, Kompany isn’t too fussed about the match being claimed as a “must-win”. The Belgian remarks that his focus is solely on winning the game, just like for every other Bayern game.

Benfica will be a tough nut to crack for Bayern Munich

Benfica have had a decent start to domestic and European campaigns. The Lisbon-based club is currently third in Liga Portugal and 13th in the UCL league phase table. They have beaten Crvena Zvezda and Atletico Madrid, but most recently lost to Feyenoord in a game which they arguably dominated for the most part.

Turks Kerem Akturkoglu and Orkun Kökçü have been in sublime form for the Portuguese side registering 11 and 7 goal contributions, respectively. They also benefit greatly from the experience of Argentine veterans Angel Di Maria and Nicolás Otamendi. The Argentine duo's big-game know-how can turn out to be crucial for Benfica in games like the one against Bayern.

Despite the home side's exceptional run of form, Benfica will be far from a walk in the park for the Bavarian club. The onus is on Vincent Kompany to come up with a game plan that would ensure all three points for Die Roten against a tough side. Failure to do so could leave Bayern in troubled waters, facing a huge risk of finishing outside of the top eight.