When the Premier League Champions become host to the Bundesliga Champions today, it will be the 3rd time in the last two seasons of the Champions League when both of these sides will meet each other. While it is nearly the same Manchester City that faced Munich last season, Bayern Munich have been better in attack as well as in midfield as the former Dotmund and Liverpool players have jumped the ship for a change of environment in favor of the German Champions.
#455534288 / gettyimages.com
Last time both these sides met, Manchester City won the match 3-2 at Allianz arena to get an unforgettable victory for their fans.
While these sides have met 4 times in the Champions League so far in their history, the win and loss ratio is exactly in balance as both of them have won 2 matches each and it will be interesting to note that the 1st ever fixture between these two sides in the Champions League came in 2011, sometime after the Citizens were revolutionized by the Arab takeover.
Since seeing of each other for the 1st time in their history in 2011, both these sides have met 3 times in the following 3 years since today.
While Bayern Munich have played one match less than their rivals in the domestic League so far this season, both the sides have managed to get 7 points so far. However with City sitting 5 points adrift of the Leaders Chelsea in the Premier League after a relatively slow start to their Premier League defense, Bayern Munich have come out with all guns blazing as they are joint on points with the 1st team with only the goal difference separating them and Bundesliga current leaders Bayern Leverkusen.
After making a relatively slow start to their season, Premier League Champions will be itching to show their mettle today against the European Power-house Bayern Munich.
When the group stages draws were made in Monaco on 28th August in Monaco, both the teams knew they were in for a battle as it won’t be unwise if their group is amongst the toughest group in the Champions League so far. With 1 time runner up of the Champions League in Roma with the 3rd side, a difficult away trip to CSKA Moscow won’t be welcomed by any side in the Champions League. SO when both of them will meet tonight, it will be a must-win-game for both as have one eye on the throne of Group E.
Team News:
Manchester City:
One of the most unlikely misses, boss Manuel Pelligrini will miss the match as he is due for a touchline ban sustained by him at the end of his team’s Champions League campaign last season.
With defender Pablo Zabaleta injured after making a full appearance against the gunners on Saturday, former Arsenal right back Sagna will look to make his mark.
Stevan Jovetic is still injured as the defender suffered an injury after the match against Aston Villa one week before the International break, he has been ruled out.
Meanwhile the Ivorian Yaya Toure is expected to start amongst the starting 11 after missing the crunch fixture against Arsenal on Saturday.
Bayern Munich:
Bayern Munich will be far from full fitness as players like Badstuber and Ribery have been ruled out of this match. Badtuber suffered an injury in his team’s 2-0 win last week while Ribery has been out of action as he suffered a knee injury as-well.
One of the major doubts of this game, Dutchman Arjen Robben had an injury and is expected to start from the bench for the Bavarians.
Amir Bashir follow him on Twitter.
No comments