Match Preview: Manchester United v Bayern Munich
It all started so rosily for Manchester United at the Allianz Arena. An early away goal from the irrepressible Wayne Rooney got the ball rolling for the visitors, who looked set to go on and dominate the match. However, as football folklore clearly warns: never write off the Germans.
Bayern Munich rallied together and scored two second-half goals to ensure they would arrive in Manchester with the advantage. But the big question surrounds Rooney’s away goal, and whether or not it will prove decisive in this evening’s fixture.
With the scoreline currently standing at 2-1 to Louis Van Gaal’s side from last Tuesday’s first leg, the Red Devils face an uphill struggle to edge their way into the semi-finals – a task made all the more difficult with their star talismanic striker out injured.
There have been murmurs that the England international will make a shock early comeback from the minor ligament damage sustained in last week’s first leg; but the onus will rest on the under-fire Dimitar Berbatov to lead the line once more from the first whistle.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have been boosted with the news that Arjen Robben will be fit to play in this evening’s tie – a worrying prospect for the hosts as the Dutch winger has been instrumental for the Bundesliga outfit since his summer move from Real Madrid. Van Gaal will also welcome back enigmatic midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, as the four-time European champions come to Old Trafford with their strongest squad at their disposal.
Along with the contrasting state of the two teams’ fitness levels, both clubs also come into this fixture off the back of two distinctly different results. Bayern Munich managed to beat Schalke, 2-1, in their crucial top-of-the-table clash on Saturday afternoon to retain top spot in Germany; but Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were beaten by the same scoreline at home to Chelsea to hand the momentum to their title rivals.
Whether or not last weekend’s defeat will adversely affect the Premier League this evening side remains to be seen. However, United have consistently proven their worth in the Champions League over recent years, and Bayern will be fully aware of how tough it is to go to Old Trafford and win these days.
Conversely, United know exactly how difficult it is to beat the German side. Just one win from their eight meetings since 1998 outlines the fact that Bayern are a team based on resilience – a side very awkward to break down. However, that solitary victory came in the biggest match between the two sides – the famous 1999 Champions League Final in Barcelona.
Ferguson will be desperate to invoke the spirit of ’99 to see his team into the last four, but Bayern have the feel of a team on a mission - one ready to prove a point after almost a decade of watching on from the outside.
With both clubs still in the hunt for a place in the last four, and both willing to display their customary brands of free-flowing attacking football, tonight’s match will be one you won’t want to miss.
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