Bayern Munich vs CSKA Moscow: Five Key Battles

Defending European champions Bayern Munich kick start their defence of the coveted trophy against Russian club CSKA Moscow. The Bavarian side have made a slightly underwhelming start to the new season but they have a quality squad and are managed by an excellent manager, so count them out of the match at your own risk.

Both teams are missing certain key players. While Pep Guardiola will be without new recruits Thiago Alcantara and Mario Gotze as well as Javi Martinez, CSKA will be missing star striker Seydou Doumbia, Alan Dzagoev, Zoran Tosic, Rasmus Elm, Mario Fernandes and Mark Gonzalez. Nevertheless, let’s look at some of the key battles within the game that might have an impact on the result:

Ahmed Musa vs David Alaba

David Alaba

Ahmed Musa will no doubt be CSKA’s key player down the right, which is where he is usually deployed although, he can play almost anywhere in the attacking third. He has already sounded the war bells by claiming he is ‘sure’ that CSKA will beat Bayern and will no doubt be fired up for the occasion. It will be up to talented young left-back Alaba to ensure the Nigerian forward doesn’t cause too many problems. This duel between the two promising youngsters will no doubt be interesting to watch.

Konstantin Bazelyuk vs Dante

Dante

In the absence of Alan Dzagoev and Seydou Doumbia, one would expect the Russian youngster (who recently scored in his league debut) to start the game. The Russian youngster has scored 4 goals in his last three games (he scored a hat-trick for Russia’s U-20′s in midweek), so, it’s safe to say he will provide some sort of a threat up front. However, it’s also safe to say that Dante will be relieved that he doesn’t have the unenviable task of marking the powerful Doumbia or the talented Dzagoev.

Keisuke Honda vs Bastian Schweinsteiger/Philip Lahm

Keisuke Honda

Honda is a talented little attacking midfielder who can not only play in multiple positions, but is also a threat with his speed, dribbling and passing ability as well as his free-kicks. He will be CSKA’s main creative influence in the attacking third and it will be up to Schweinsteiger/Lahm (whoever starts in the position of the defensive midfielder) to put in a hard-working defensive shift in order to keep the Japanese playmaker quiet. This particular battle will pretty much decide which of the two teams walks away with the three points.

Alexei Berezutski vs Franck Ribery

Franck Ribery

The Frenchman was in unstoppable form last season and was recently crowned the European Player of the Year. He has started the season strongly and will no doubt be the man to watch for CSKA. The unenviable task of keeping the French winger in check will fall to experienced defender Berezutski, who has started as their right-back so far this season.

The versatile defender will have his work cut out for him as Ribery has been unstoppable lately. His brilliant performance against Chelsea in the Super Cup was proof of that. This battle could go either way, although most would expect the Frenchman to edge it.

Mario Mandzukic vs Vasili Berezutski

Mario Mandzukic

The Croatian striker has scored three goals in the league already and is Pep’s first (and only) choice to lead the attack, unless he decides to use his False 9 system. Nevertheless, assuming Mandzukic does start the game, the task of marking him will fall to Vasili Berezutski, the twin brother of Alexei. Mandzukic isn’t an easy man to mark, because he never stays still; he’s always dropping deep and looking for the ball and he also does his share of defensive work. This battle will be an interesting one.