Match Preview : Bayern Munich

Venue : Camp Nou, Barcelona


The most eagerly anticipated match of the quarterfinal stage, in which the 2 leading goal scorers of the Champions League clash, is finally here. Both Barca and Bayern have scored 24 goals each so far in the Champions League. Bayern are unbeaten while Barca’s record is tarnished only by the reserve team’s loss to Shaktar in the final group stage match.

Bayern are 4 times winners of the Champions League/European Cup, their last triumph coming against Valencia in 2001 after famously having the title stolen from them at the Nou Camp by Manchester United in 1999. This is their 21st appearance in the quarterfinal stage a record only surpassed by Real Madrid, making them the most successful team remaining in this year’s CL.

Therefore, it is understandable that beyond the statuary tributes to Barca’s flowing game, much of the talk emanating from Munich has been focussed inward, intent on creating the impression that Bayern playing to its prodigious capacity is the key point in winning over the 2 legs rather than thwarting Barca. Long associated with efficiency and effectiveness, their poor performance over the past few seasons has galvanised a shift in approach emphasized by the appointment of Jurgen Klinsmann as coach. This season Bayern have displayed an admirable commitment to attacking football, often sacrificing the stability of their defence in the process.

About Klinsmann,
Jurgen Klinsmann took over at Bayern in July 2008 on the back of the League and Cup double which his predecessor the wily Ottmar Hitzfelds achieved after introducing wholesale changes to the squad at the start of the 2007-08 season. Klinsmann’s performances as a coach have gained acclaim and popularity more because of the refreshing change in direction they brought rather than any tactical genius. He predominantly favours a 4-4-2 formation with 2 wingers and an attacking central midfielder, supported by attack-minded wingbacks.

The 5-1 defeat at Wolfsburg over the weekend has provoked a measure of introspection with the coach asking for more commitment from his players. Blaming the loss on individual errors due to lack of concentration, Klinsmann also made the point that Bayern’s season hinges on the Barca game.

And Guardiola
A more resolute performance by Barca allowed Guardiola to balance his objectives of rest and reintegration over the weekend for the players returning after injury layoffs and international duty. Pep, has indicated a more guarded approach to the game by revealing that he spent the time during the national team break studying tapes of Bayern Munich’s matches. Additionally he has sought to play down the favourites tag by stating that if anything Bayern are the favourites, having the advantage of playing the final leg at home.

Stats and Recent Results

Last 5 matches

Barca :
Home Win 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
Home Win 5-2 Lyon
Away Win 2-0 Almeria
Home Win 6-0 Malaga
Away Win 1-0 Valladolid

Bayern :
Home Win 5-1 Hannover
Home Win 7-1 Sporting Clube
Away Win 3-0 Bochum
Home Win 1-0 Karlsruher
Away Loss 5-1 Wolfsburg

Marquez and Busquets for Barca and Borowski and Van Bommel will incur suspensions with their next bookings. Ribery with 6, has more assists in the Champions League this season than Messi or Xavi . Bayern have been fouled-on the most number of times this season in the CL with 153 fouls while Barca are the team to commit the least number of fouls with just 92, amongst the quarterfinalists.

In European competition Barca have generally had it good against German opposition but against Bayern they have fallen short in the past with 3 losses and 1 draw in the 4 matches played.

Tactics and Strategy
Formations of both teams are almost set in stone with each team sticking to its 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 formations respectively. To combat the creativity of Barca’s midfield what Bayern need is a quiet, tireless worker to pick up the pieces left after Van Bommel’s robust (and inevitably late) challenges. They have that player in the perpetually underrated Tim Borowski but playing him goes against Klinsmann’s attacking methodology and he is likely to start a player with more flair such as Ze Roberto. Nevertheless, their idea will be to shackle Xavi and Iniesta as far as possible.

More than Lahm’s left side Bayern have looked vulnerable down their right flank where both Christian Lell and Massimo Oddo have failed to adequately replace Sagnol. Injuries have created a soft centre in the defence with the pairing of Dimichelis and Breno(as talented but as inconsistent as Caceres) about the only option Klinsmann has. The arrangement of space however makes penetration and crossing from the right more probable than creating shooting opportunities. The best way for Barca to take advantage of this may be to have Iniesta starting from midfield to move wide with the ball on the left while Henry moves simultaneously towards the centre.

Etoó has his work cut out for him as a lot will depend on his movement and ability to draw the centre-backs out of position. The Messi vs Lahm battle will turn on the support that is afforded to Lahm from Ze Roberto. Messi will hence benefit from the presence of Iniesta on the far side, drawing the midfield cover towards the left leaving Lahm isolated against him.

Defensively, Barca have to work out a way to deal with Ribery for; of course no force on earth can keep Dani Alves from rampaging forward. A quick witted player with great close control, Ribery is adept at taking advantage of any space offered. The return of Yaya Toure, will be a great asset to Guardiola. His ability to cover space and disrupt breaks will allow Alves the time to get back into position. The defence will be occupied in dealing with Luca Toni and his clever layoffs to Podolski who is ever ready to shoot on sight of goal. On Barca’s left flank, Sylvinho will be well-advised to stay back and conserve his energy to deal with the nimble footed Schweinsteiger or the Turk Hamid Altentop.

Predicted Lineups :
Barcelona : Valdes, Alves, Marquez, Puyol, Sylvinho, Toure, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Etoó, Henry

Bayern Munich : Rensing, Lell, Breno, Demichelis, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Van Bommel, Ze Roberto, Ribery, Luca Toni, Podolski

And So .....
At the very minimum Barca would like a 2 goal cushion to carry into the return leg. Anything more will be magnificent but Bayern are as dependent as Barca are on attack as the best mode of defence. So Barca have to look to weather the early storm, control the pace of the game and hold onto possession which, of course, is what they have done for most part of the season. Bayern will look to break with as much speed as possible so slowing down the game initially may be to Barca’s advantage. Barca possession is certain to eventually yield goals just as conceding an early goal will embolden Bayern. Barca should be comfortable but yet careful to ensure they don’t have to go into the second leg needing a win.

Prediction : Barcelona 4 – 2 Bayern Munich


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