Bayern Munich-Manchester City is a friendly and is played on Wednesday at 12:30pm: stats, TV, streaming, likely line-ups, predictions
Not seldom rivals in the Champions League, the one between Bayern Munich and Manchester City has become a ‘classic’ even in the summer period, as the two battleships have faced each other five times in recent years during the preparation phase. It was Pep Guardiola’s men who won the last two friendlies in chronological order: in 2018 it ended in a pyrotechnic 3-2, while a year ago City ‘only’ won 1-0.
In July 2022, Bayern and City faced each other in the United States – Haaland scored the decisive goal on his debut – but this time the National Stadium in Tokyo will be the venue for this super-match, which always has a certain charm, even if it is only a friendly. The last confrontation, in fact, is even more recent and dates back to last April, when Manchester City crushed Bayern Munich in the first leg of the quarter-finals (3-0 in England), making the return match a pure formality (1-1). That was undoubtedly an important milestone on the Citizens’ path to their first ever cup-eared triumph, which they then lifted on the night in Istanbul on 10 June at the end of a tight final against Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan. The reigning European champions have already been in Japan for a few days, and on Sunday they reeled off five goals (5-3) against the local Yokohama Marinos (Haaland a brace). In Bayern Munich, on the other hand, there is an air of ‘revolution’ in the air, despite yet another national title, which came more due to a resounding sporting suicide by Borussia Dortmund. The Bavarians, led by Thomas Tuchel, scored 27 goals against amateurs Rottach in their only friendly match.
Their first official engagement is not far away: on 12 August they will face Leipzig in the match that awards the German Super Cup. Manchester City will take the field even a week earlier to face Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Kim
The Prediction
A year ago, almost surprisingly, we witnessed a largely deadlocked game in which the total number of goals was less than three. This time the script could be different, considering that the respective attacks, although seen at work against inferior opponents, have already appeared quite inspired. Both are expected to score, with Manchester City slightly favoured over the Bavarians, even by the bookmakers.
Bayern Munich-Manchester City matchday squad
- BAYERN MONACO (4-2-3-1): Ulreich; Mazraoui, Pavard, Upamecano, Davies; Kimmich, Laimer; Coman, Musiala, Sane; Gnabry.
- MANCHESTER CITY (3-5-2): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo, Kovacic, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
