Allen Hamilton
What: Champions League Quarter-final – Second Leg
Who: Bayern Munich (1) vs Manchester United (1) – (First leg score in brackets)
When: Wednesday 9th April, 2014, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Head On Manchester United
Bayern Munich saw their 53-game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga come to an end at the weekend with a 1-0 defeat at Augsburg. With the league title already wrapped up it said little about the state of Pep Guardiola's men domestically and more about how the match was viewed as a distraction with the second leg against Manchester United on the horizon. Guardiola admitted as much, commenting: "The Bundesliga is over for us. The game in Augsburg is important, but the game against Manchester is more important. My head is already in that game."
Guardiola expects Manchester United to sit deep and counter-attack, something which could lead to some nervy moments for the hosts should the Red Devils defence stand firm. The Spaniard will have to make do without Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger, both players suspended, which will take some of the power out of his midfield. Xherdan Shaqiri meanwhile picked up a knock against Augsburg in another unwelcome development.
Even so, Bayern Munich start as firm favourites. The Bavarians might not have overrun English sides in their own backyard in recent years, memorably losing to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, but they still pack enough of a punch to battle through. The question is perhaps whether psychology will play a part; and the longer the tie sits at 0-0, the more Guardiola will worry.
Still In It
Bayern Munich were largely expected to blow Manchester United away at Old Trafford, just as Liverpool and Manchester City had done comprehensively in recent weeks. But the Red Devils showed they can still mix it with the best by securing a 1-1 draw. It does mean they must score in Germany, but it is also a result which has risen spirits to such an extent that confidence they can qualify is now high within the squad.
A 4-0 weekend win away at Newcastle helped, though Juan Mata, who starred in that game, is ineligible. Still, Manchester United should have Wayne Rooney back, even if he has to undergo a pain-killing injection to take his place on the pitch. The Champions League really is all or nothing for David Moyes' men now, making risking Rooney a calculated gamble. And it is little surprise therefore that Moyes has dubbed the clash a "cup final" for his side.
"We've given ourselves every opportunity and prepared really well. We have to go into this game knowing it's a cup final for us", he explained. "We want to be in the Champions League final but we have to win this cup final first."
Recent form
Bayern Munich:
Bayern Munich 3-3 Hoffenheim (29/03; Bundesliga)
Manchester United 1-1 Bayern Munich (01/04; Champions League)
Augsburg 1-0 Bayern Munich (05/04; Bundesliga)
Manchester United:
Manchester United 4-1 Aston Villa (29/03; Premier League)
Manchester United 1-1 Bayern Munich (01/04; Champions League)
Newcastle 0-4 Manchester United (05/04; Premier League)
Key absences
Bayern Munich: Javi Martinez (suspended); Bastian Schweinsteiger (suspended); Xherdan Shaqiri; Thiago Alcantara; Diego Contento
Manchester United: Juan Mata (ineligible); Ashley Young (doubt); Marouane Fellaini (doubt); Robin van Persie; Rafael (doubt)
Players to watch
Bayern Munich – Arjen Robben: The Dutch winger has proven hard for English clubs to handle in recent years and tonight is set to be no different. A prime candidate to win a penalty for the hosts, Robben can trouble the Manchester United defence, have them backpeddling, and win the tie.
Manchester United – Nemanja Vidic: Heading to Inter in the summer, perhaps Vidic has one last hurrah left in him. Moyes trusted in the Serbian's experience in the first leg and he repaid the Scot with a goal. Likely to be menacing again from set-pieces, Vidic also has a vital job to do in defence.
Match Prediction
The odds are stacked against Manchester United, but if the Red Devils can keep a clean sheet they will always have a chance. The match will follow the pattern of the first leg with Bayern Munich dominating possession and it is hard to imagine Moyes' men seeing off the pressure. Ultimately, the Bavarians have too many attacking weapons, though they might find the game more balanced in midfield. Bayern Munich 2-0 Manchester United.
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