Venue: Allianz Arena Date: Tuesday 2nd April K/o: 19:45
Team News
Bayern Munich will be without midfielder Javi Martinez for their first leg encounter with Juventus in tonight's Champions League quarter-final clash, with the Spaniard missing out through suspension. Luis Gustavo is expected to replace him in Jupp Heynckes' starting XI. Juventus could be without striker Mirko Vucinic, who is a doubt with a fever, while fellow forward Sebastian Giovinco picked up a knock in Saturday's 2-1 win over Inter Milan. Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Matri are therefore likely to be paired in attack.
Match Preview
When Bayern Munich and Juventus were paired together in the quarter finals of the Champions League, many identified it as the stand-out tie of the round. The two European giants each hold a commanding lead at the top of their respective domestic leagues. Tonight's hosts are a massive 20 points ahead of nearest rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, while Juve are nine points in front of Napoli at the Serie A summit. The Italians also came away 3-0 winners against reining European Champions Chelsea in the Group Stages, while the Blues defeated Bayern in last year's final at the Allianz Arena. Bayern will therefore be going all out to ensure they do not befall a similar disappointment and will be slight favourites to progress to the semi-finals for a second season in a row. With the exception of Barcelona, no side looks more potent than Bayern in Europe at present, and the likes of Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos have all been in inspired form this term. However, the Italians will be no push overs. From the six matches that these two have played against each other, Juventus have recorded three victories to Bayern's two, with one draw.
Likely Line-Ups
Bayern Munich Neuer, Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Gustavo, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Kroos, Ribery, Mandzukic
Juventus Buffon, Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci, Pirlo, Vidal, Pogba, Marchisio, Asamoah, Quagliarella, Matri Source:
International Business Times