Date: Tuesday, April 1 Venue: Old Trafford Kick-Off: 19:45 Can Manchester United defeat the reigning European champions when Bayern Munich visit Old Trafford in the Champions League quarter-final first leg?
Team News
Manchester United continue to be without their joint-top goalscorer Robin van Persie, who misses out with a knee injury, while record signing Juan Mata is cup-tied. Right-back Rafael is a doubt after missing training on Monday, while Patrice Evra and Tom Cleverley are suspended. Bayern Munich will be without Thiago Alcantara, who sustained an extended partial ligament tear during his side's 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim on Saturday. Manuel Neurer, Arjen Robben, Mario Mandzukic, Philipp Lahm and Thomas Müller were all rested for that game and are likely to be recalled by Pep Guardiola.
Key Stats
The last time these two sides met was in the 2009-10 semi-finals. Manchester United won 3-2 but went out on the away goals rule when Arjen Robben's late strike made it 4-4 on aggregate. Bayern Munich are hoping to become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League having won the competition against rivals Borussia Dortmund last year. Bayern were crowned German champions last Tuesday thanks to a 3-1 win over Hertha Berlin. However, Hoffenheim ended a 19-game winning run for the Bavarians in the 3-3 draw on Saturday. United have won their last five Champions League matches against German opposition, two of which came against Bayer Leverkusen this season.
When you think 'Manchester United vs Bayern Munich', your mind conjures up images of that incredible night in Barcelona on Wednesday, May 26, 1999 when United stunned the Germans. A lot has changed since then, though. United are no longer the European force of old and their indomitable spirit under Sir Alex Ferguson has wavered during successor David Moyes's tenure. Brief glimpses of it were spotted in the come-back win over Olympiakos as the Red Devils fought back to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, but Bayern still come here as the favourites. While the Red Devils have laboured in league and cup this season, Bayern by contrast have won the Bundesliga in record time and remain on course for five trophies. Having won the league, Super Cup and Club World Cup already, Bayern are also in the semi-finals of the German Cup and will look to become the first team to retain the Champions League. A depleted United side without Robin van Persie, Rafael, Patrice Evra and record signing Juan Mata aren't fancied to stand in the way of that latter accomplishment, but there is hope. United have won their last five Champions League matches against German opposition, two of which came against Bayer Leverkusen this season. The Red Devils have also won all four of their European games at Old Trafford this season, keeping three clean sheets, something they'll likely have to repeat if they are to progress. And Munich's Arjen Robben believes United could be a threat, despite their well-documented on-field troubles this season. The midfielder said:
"It's going to be a tough duel and we've got to watch out. The media and public opinion is that Manchester are not in good shape and that we're going through to the semis, but I don't like that at all. You only need to get distracted for a second and you lose against Manchester United."
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
