Alongside SSC Napoli and FC Bruges, FC Bayern Munich is the only team that can qualify early for the round of 16 of the Champions League in today’s games. However, even in the event of your own victory against Viktoria Pilsen, you are, at least theoretically, dependent on outside help. If FC Barcelona wins in the parallel game against Inter Milan, all three teams could still have twelve points, at least on paper – and FC Bayern could still fall back to third place if they lose heavily to Inter Milan and Barcelona. Only if Barca loses points is everything done for Bayern with twelve points. In the event of a draw, Bayern would only progress if Inter were to win at FC Barcelona.
At Bayern, however, there is currently no reason to deal with these arithmetic games. The people of Munich are chasing records in the Champions League. After 5-0 in the first leg, the German champions have been unbeaten in Europe’s premier class for 31 group games (28 wins, three draws). In the second leg in the Czech Republic, the highly favored Bavarians with ÖFB team player Marcel Sabitzer can look forward to the next sole competition record. The team coached by Julian Nagelsmann has won the last ten group games, only Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have previously managed such a successful streak. No club has yet celebrated eleven victories in a row. Bayern involuntarily have to deal with their personal situation. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer didn’t even make the trip to Pilsen. Neuer had already missed the final training session, he has to pass because of a shoulder contusion. Striker Serge Gnabry also stayed in Munich with a knee injury. In addition, coach Nagelsmann will also be without defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Alphonso Davies as well as Jamal Musiala, who is suffering from Corona. For Neuer, number two, Sven Ulreich, will guard Bayern’s goal. The 34-year-old has only played in the 5-0 DFB Cup against Viktoria Köln this season. Ulreich can already look back on 14 Champions League appearances, including the 1-1 draw in the round of 16 last season in Salzburg.
FC Barcelona under pressure
FC Barcelona, third in the table, is definitely challenged in the home game against Inter Milan. While the Catalans are leading the domestic LaLiga with seven wins, one draw and 20-1 goals after eight rounds, they only have three points in the premier class. “We’re in a difficult position. We’ve now got three finals in the Champions League,” said coach Xavi, whose team must take revenge for the 1-0 defeat at Inter to avoid repeating the slide down to the second-tier Europa League .
Source: Nachrichten
