Manchester City vs Bayern Munich preview
Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain and now Manchester City. Bayern Munich must be sick and tired of playing top teams as they have navigated what appears to be one of the toughest ways in a Champions League season. Defeating Inter and Barcelona and topping their group got them a date with PSG. After beating the French, they now face the English champion, led by their former manager Pep Guardiola.
While Bayern Munich and Manchester City are teams that have dominated their domestic league but this season are facing stiff challenges from rivals. So it is under the added pressure of being in a title race that the two teams will meet in the first leg of their quarter-final match.
Manchester City have been overly dependent on Erling Haaland this season, and the Norwegian has not disappointed with 44 goals and five assists in just 38 matches. And he has been ably supported by Kevin de Bruyne, who is always in the game. However, other players have not stepped up, which is why they are currently second in their domestic league.
On the other hand, Bayern Munich are also facing a stiff challenge from Borussia Dortmund. In addition, the club have also fired their manager, Julian Nagelsmann replacing him with Thomas Tuchel, the man who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.
Despite their struggles in their domestic league, both teams have been in top form in the Champions League. Bayern Munich and Manchester City conceded two goals in the group stage, the joint-best record in the competition. In fact, Bayern Munich have not conceded a single goal in their six matches against Inter Milan, Barcelona and PSG, respectively.
Manchester City vs Bayern Munich team news
Taking a club of Bayern Munich’s stature requires a team to have all their resources available to them. And thankfully, for Pep Guardiola, except for Phil Foden, his entire squad is fully available for selection. Unfortunately, this means that the Spaniard will have a lot of headaches while selecting his starting 11 for the match. City could line with the back three of Rubin Dias, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji, with Rodri and John Stones forming a double pivot behind Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, De Bruyne, and Jack Grealish with Haaland leading the line.
Manchester City Predicted Line-up: Ederson; Ake, Dias, Akanji; Rodri, Stones, Grealish, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez; Haaland
Striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting missed Bayern’s clash against Freiburg with a knee problem but is expected to return for the match. Other injuries are Mathys Tel, Paul Wanner, and Arijon Ibrahimovic. In addition, Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernandez are out for the season with long-term injuries. Dayot Upamecano, who missed the clash against Freiburg, will also be back to form his incredible defensive partnership with Matthijs de Ligt. Alphonso Davies and Joan Cancelo will be the fullbacks, with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka forming the double pivot. Ahead of them will be Sadio Mane, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane, with Choupo Moting, the lone forward.
Bayern Munich Predicted Line-up: Sommer; Davies, De Ligt, Upamecano, Cancelo; Kimmich, Goretzka; Mane, Musiala, Sane; Choupo Moting
Can't wait to see Manchester city vs Bayern Munich on Tuesday. Matthijs De ligt vs Erling Haaland, a battle that we'll see a lot in the coming years. everyone who thinks De ligt was overrated should watch. #UCL pic.twitter.com/gEt3M23oK0
— Deadpool (@Dead_xo_pool) April 8, 2023
Key Players
The key player for this entire season for Manchester City has been the Norwegian sensation, Erling Haaland. The super striker has been in brutal form and scored five goals against Red Bull Salzburg in his last Champions League match. Despite several players performing well below their usual standards, his goals are a crucial reason City are in the reckoning for a title in the domestic and continental competition.
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- Cher Ndour: Benfica have dound another gem in Italian midfield enforcer
- Mateo Retegui: The Italian super striker dominating in Argentina
Bayern Munich, though are a team that is not usually dependent on any single star. However, one man that will be tasked with making life difficult for City’s defence will be Sadio Mane. The Senegalese has struggled with injuries during his first season at Bavaria but, at his best, has been unplayable. And City playing a back three, Mane, with the right movements, could exploit the gap left by the wing backs.
Manchester City vs Bayern Munich predictions
This is the blockbuster clash of the Champions League quarter-finals, with the two teams boasting world-class talent to the brim. However, both teams know their rivals possess the quality given the opportunity. This means that the teams will be conservative and look to keep their defences solid.
And with few clear-cut chances, the match will be a dull affair. FootTheBall predicts a 1-1 draw.
