Manchester City-Bayern Munich is a Champions League quarter-final first leg match to be played on Tuesday at 9pm: TV, predictions.
A curious draw, the last one that took place in Nyon and outlined the Champions League quarter and semi-final pairings. On one side, in fact, we have the three Italians (Milan, Napoli and Inter) plus Benfica. On the other is the crème de la crème of Europe’s current top clubs, especially those with more money.
The only thing missing is Psg, one might say, eliminated by Bayern Munich, who will now have to repeat themselves against the other club that has become great thanks to petro-dollars, the Manchester City of the former Pep Guardiola, in order to return to the semifinals. A stellar challenge, a real anticipated final that will keep fans glued to their television sets. There is certainly no shortage of food for thought: it is a classic clash between ‘titans’, between two battleships built to dominate their respective leagues and obviously also Europe. The Bavarians have their coat of arms on their side and sat on the continental throne only three years ago, for the sixth time in their history. The Citizens have been racking up national trophies in recent seasons, but, as for PSG, the cup with the big ears is becoming a real obsession, always escaping them at the most beautiful moment. Guardiola, who has been on the English club’s bench for seven years, is hoping that this will be the good year, even if he will have to overcome some not inconsiderable obstacles before reaching the final. This time he has an extra weapon. A monstrous striker who answers to the name of Erling Braut Haaland who last Saturday, with ten rounds still to play, has already reached 30 goals in his first season in the Premier.
Haaland is ‘on fire’ again
The Norwegian was (once again) the absolute star of the match against Southampton, who were downed 4-1. For City it was their eighth consecutive victory in the competition. In the league, however, the reigning English champions have to hope for an Arsenal misstep in order to regain the top spot.
de Ligt
Guardiola’s men are, however, in the running on two other fronts: the FA Cup – they will soon play the semi-final against Sheffield United – and the Champions League. In the continental arena so far everything has gone smoothly. In the round of 16, Manchester City almost made it en plein (14 points out of 18 available), while in the round of 16, after having drawn in the first leg against Leipzig, they made a meal of it on the return leg, complete with a ‘pokerissimo’ signed by Haaland. Bayern Munich, having brilliantly overcome a complicated group with Barcelona and Inter Milan, had to deal with Messi and Mbappé’s Psg in the first knockout round: 0-1 at the Parc des Princes and 2-0 at the Allianz Arena, with qualification never really in question. Yet this feat was not enough for Julian Nagelsmann to save his bench.
Perfect balance in precedent
The young coach was sacked during the last break for the national teams due to a too discontinuous performance in the Bundesliga – Bayern are first, but only one point ahead of Borussia Dortmund – but also due to some disagreements with the senators.
In his place has come Thomas Tuchel, the coach who in the 2020-21 season at the helm of Chelsea extinguished Guardiola and his Manchester City’s dream of winning the Champions League, getting the better of his Citizens in the all-English final in Porto. In charge for only three games, Tuchel beat Borussia Dortmund and Freiburg in the league but exited the German Cup. Perfect balance in the precedents between City and Bayern in the Champions League. They have only faced each other in the group stage and the balance is three wins on each side.
Manchester City-Bayern Munich: latest line-up news
Guardiola has no formation problems. Manchester City’s only absentee is striker Foden, who is still struggling with the after-effects of his appendicitis operation. The coach has reduced the rotation to a minimum in recent games and it would be no surprise if the eleven that will face Bayern Munich is more or less the same as the one that took on Southampton on Saturday. The three-man defence, consisting of Akanji, Dias and Aké, is back, while on the right Stones will play the outside full-back. It is a ballot between Bernardo Silva and Mahrez.
Tuchel will respond with a 4-2-3-1 in which the absence of a real striker stands out. Choupo-Moting has a knee problem and will not be in the match. Bayern Munich’s offensive terminal should be Muller, supported by Sané, Musiala and one between Coman and Mané. At the back, on the sides of the central pair de Ligt-Upamecano, there will be space for Pavard and Davies.
The prediction
Almost impossible to pinpoint a clear favourite. Manchester City and Bayern Munich are two of the strongest teams in Europe and can count on a wealth of champions. It will therefore be a very balanced double-header, where individual episodes will make the difference. In the first leg, City, which seems to have a few more certainties at the moment – if only because of the recent change of technical leadership at Bayern – should make the home factor count. In Europe they have yet to lose a game at the Etihad Stadium. And it is likely to avoid defeat against the Bavarians as well, in a tight match in which both sides should be able to score.
Manchester City v Bayern Munich matchday squad
- MANCHESTER CITY (3-5-2): Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Aké; Stones, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland.
- BAYERN MONACO (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Pavard, de Ligt, Upamecano, Davies; Goretzka, Kimmich; Sané, Musiala, Coman; Muller.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
