Having arrested a poor run of form in recent times with a spectacular 7-1 win against Hoffenheim in the weekend, Bayern Munich would have gained some much needed confidence ahead of their second leg Champions League clash against FC Basel at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, one they have to win to stay alive in the Champions League.
The German giants, four-time winners of the competition, will need to overturn a one goal deficit in the impending second leg of the clash, this after the relative unknowns from Switzerland shocked the Bavarians 1-0 at Sankt Jakob-Park.
Bayern Munich :
The weekend was a good one for Jupp Heynckes’ side, who before their meeting against Hoffenheim on Saturday had experienced a terrible recent run of form, winning just one of their last four fixtures in all competitions. That poor run sparked off rumours of an impending sacking of Heynckes, •news that Bayern vehemently denied. Saturday’s 7-1 drubbing of Hoffenheim, however, have eased those talks for the time being, more so because Bayern were able to close the gap on league leaders and defending champions Borussia Dortmund, who themselves were held to a draw at the weekend.
The weekend was a good one for Jupp Heynckes’ side, who before their meeting against Hoffenheim on Saturday had experienced a terrible recent run of form, winning just one of their last four fixtures in all competitions. That poor run sparked off rumours of an impending sacking of Heynckes, •news that Bayern vehemently denied. Saturday’s 7-1 drubbing of Hoffenheim, however, have eased those talks for the time being, more so because Bayern were able to close the gap on league leaders and defending champions Borussia Dortmund, who themselves were held to a draw at the weekend.
The German side have a tougher assignment though in midweek, when they will need to win by a two-goal margin against a Basel side who have taken the Champions League by storm this season, having already had a hand in the early exit of last term’s finalists Manchester United. Bayern Munich, however, own an impressive home record with 11 wins in their last 12 at the Allianz Arena, along with a 100% record against Swiss opposition at home, stats that are likely to keep them confident of avoiding a debacle of sorts on Tuesday. The Bavarians did win 3-0 at home against Basel in last season’s group stages, and will be hoping for a similar score line to take them to the last eight of the competition.
FC Basel :
Slayers of Manchester United in the group stages and now just one solid performance away from vanquishing mighty Bayern Munich in the first knockout round, Basel have made quite a name for themselves as giant killers this season, possessing a highly talented side that play a fearless and attacking brand of football. The Swiss team, led by Heiko Vogel, a former Bayern Munich youth coach himself, are comfortably on top of the Swiss Super League with 12 points separating them and second placed Luzern, and with some breathing space between them and the chasing pack can concentrate all their energies on the European game and a possibility of largely unprecedented European success.
Slayers of Manchester United in the group stages and now just one solid performance away from vanquishing mighty Bayern Munich in the first knockout round, Basel have made quite a name for themselves as giant killers this season, possessing a highly talented side that play a fearless and attacking brand of football. The Swiss team, led by Heiko Vogel, a former Bayern Munich youth coach himself, are comfortably on top of the Swiss Super League with 12 points separating them and second placed Luzern, and with some breathing space between them and the chasing pack can concentrate all their energies on the European game and a possibility of largely unprecedented European success.
Basel have been good travellers this season, having not lost a game on the road yet with two draws and a win to their name. Their home form also has been rather impressive as was on show three weeks back, when they fought out a 1-0 win even when visitors Bayern looked the better of the two sides. Their record in Germany however isn’t one to write home about, as they have won just once in six games, losing thrice. Bayern are regular fixtures in the round of 16 but this is Basel’s first showing in the knockout rounds since 1974, one that they will want to make the most of.
Head to Head :
22 Feb ’12 : FC•Basel•1 – 0•Bayern Munich
8 Dec ’10 : Bayern Munich 3 – 0 FC Basel
22 Feb ’12 : FC•Basel•1 – 0•Bayern Munich
8 Dec ’10 : Bayern Munich 3 – 0 FC Basel
Form Guide :
Bayern Munich (WLWLD)
10 Mar ’12 :•Bayern Munich 7 – 1 Hoffenheim
3 Mar ’12 :•Bayer Leverkusen 2 – 0 Bayern Munich
26 Feb ’12 :•Bayern Munich 2 – 0 Schalke 04
22 Feb ’12 :•FC Basel 1 – 0 Bayern Munich
18 Feb ’12 :•SC Freiburg 0 – 0 Bayern Munich
10 Mar ’12 :•Bayern Munich 7 – 1 Hoffenheim
3 Mar ’12 :•Bayer Leverkusen 2 – 0 Bayern Munich
26 Feb ’12 :•Bayern Munich 2 – 0 Schalke 04
22 Feb ’12 :•FC Basel 1 – 0 Bayern Munich
18 Feb ’12 :•SC Freiburg 0 – 0 Bayern Munich
FC Basel (WWWWD)
10 Mar ’12 :•Grasshoppers 0 – 2 FC Basel
4 Mar ’12 :•FC Basel 3 – 1 FC Luzern
25 Feb ’12 :•FC Basel 1 – 0 FC Zürich
22 Feb ’12 :•FC Basel 1 – 0 Bayern Munich
16 Feb ’12 :•BSC Young Boys 2 – 2 FC Basel
10 Mar ’12 :•Grasshoppers 0 – 2 FC Basel
4 Mar ’12 :•FC Basel 3 – 1 FC Luzern
25 Feb ’12 :•FC Basel 1 – 0 FC Zürich
22 Feb ’12 :•FC Basel 1 – 0 Bayern Munich
16 Feb ’12 :•BSC Young Boys 2 – 2 FC Basel
Probable Line-Ups :
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1) – Neuer, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm, Rafinha/Alaba, Gustavo, Kroos, Robben, Ribery, Mueller, Gomez
The hosts are expected to start with just one striker upfront, aided by star-studded five-man midfield. Arjen Robben, Mario Gomez and Jerome Boateng are all nursing knocks, but are expected to recover in time for the game on Tuesday. Thomas Mueller was left on the bench for the first leg, but with a stronger attacking influence required could make the side. Bastian Schweinsteiger made his long-awaited return from injury in a half-hour cameo at the weekend, but with the •27-year old lacking in match fitness could again be set for a bench role. Rafinha missed out against Hoffenheim• with flu and if he doesn’t make it then David Alaba could retain his place in the side.
The hosts are expected to start with just one striker upfront, aided by star-studded five-man midfield. Arjen Robben, Mario Gomez and Jerome Boateng are all nursing knocks, but are expected to recover in time for the game on Tuesday. Thomas Mueller was left on the bench for the first leg, but with a stronger attacking influence required could make the side. Bastian Schweinsteiger made his long-awaited return from injury in a half-hour cameo at the weekend, but with the •27-year old lacking in match fitness could again be set for a bench role. Rafinha missed out against Hoffenheim• with flu and if he doesn’t make it then David Alaba could retain his place in the side.
FC Basel (4-4-2) – Sommer, Abraham, Dragovic, Steinhofer, Park, Huggel, Xhaka, Shaqiri, F Frei, Streller, A Frei
Goalkeeper Yann Sommer was in scintillating form in the reverse fixture, and will again be a key player for the visitors on Tuesday. He will be guarded with a well set back-four along with the central midfield partnership of Granit Xhaka and Benjamin Huggel.•First-leg match winner Valentin Stocker might again have to make do with a bit-part role again, while either Fabien Frei or Jacques Zoua will make the eleven with a spot on the flank. Park Joo Ho missed the last game with a claf problem but could make it to the starting eleven. Alexander Frei will again be the key player for Basel upfront, with the Swiss record goal scorer to be aided by Marco Streller.
Goalkeeper Yann Sommer was in scintillating form in the reverse fixture, and will again be a key player for the visitors on Tuesday. He will be guarded with a well set back-four along with the central midfield partnership of Granit Xhaka and Benjamin Huggel.•First-leg match winner Valentin Stocker might again have to make do with a bit-part role again, while either Fabien Frei or Jacques Zoua will make the eleven with a spot on the flank. Park Joo Ho missed the last game with a claf problem but could make it to the starting eleven. Alexander Frei will again be the key player for Basel upfront, with the Swiss record goal scorer to be aided by Marco Streller.
Prediction:•The big win on Saturday would have done Bayern a world of good, with the Bavarians expected to be confident of a win even with the visitors’ strong away form this term. A goal for Basel could be huge however, as it would mean Bayern would have to score three to qualify, and though Bayern have the quality to find the net they might not be able to keep the Swiss outfit quiet all night.
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