Atletico host Guardiola’s Bayern Munich in what promises to be a blockbuster tie at the Vicente Calderon. The first leg of the second semi-final of this year’s UEFA Champions League will prove to be crucial for the visiting Bayern Munich side, as it can be the last of Guardiola's three-year reign as Bayern manager. Facing them will be Diego Simeone’s men, who convincingly did the unthinkable and knocked out the holders Barcelona in the previous round.
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Diego Simeone issued a rallying cry to his side after winning the last round. Boasting the incredible Stat of having more clean sheets than goals conceded in La Liga, they would aim to continue their form. A clean sheet would go a long way in helping Atletico take a significant advantage into the second leg at the Allianz Arena. Diego Godin is sidelined for the game with a hamstring injury, and Atletico will lose their talismanic leader at the back. Fernando Torres hero and villain of the First Leg against Barcelona returns from suspension and is expected to return to the starting lineup
Team News
Atletico Madrid
Diego Godin is sidelined for the game with a hamstring injury. Lucas Hernandez has proven himself to be an able replacement before. Jose Gimenez will take his place alongside Hernandez in the heart of the Colchoneros defense. Fernando Torres meanwhile, returns from suspension and is expected to return to the starting lineup. Tiago is out with an injury.
Bayern Munich
Holger Badstuber and Arjen Robben remain out with injuries and Jerome Boateng has returned to training following a three-month absence. Boateng will not be in a position to start the game which means David Alaba might end up partnering Javi Martinez in the center of defense.
Probable Line-ups
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak ; Juanfran, Gimenez, Hernandez, Luis; Gabi, Koke, Niguez, Carrasco; Griezmann, Torres;
Bayern Munich (4-1-4-1): Neuer; Lahm, Alaba, Martinez, Bernat; Vidal; Muller, Alcantara, Ribery, Costa; Lewandowski;
Form Guide:
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s men enter the game on the back of some fine form. The Madrid side has won all five of their last five games. This includes their 2-0 win against Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon which knocked out the defending champions from the competition. Los Colchoneros also boast four clean sheets in their last five games.
Last 5 Matches: W-W-W-W-W ( Last match: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Malaga)
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich is on a special run of form with Pep Guardiola’s men having won all but one of their last ten games. The one they didn’t win was a 2-2 draw away to Benfica in the last round of the UEFA Champions League itself. Bayern has also won four of their last five games including the draw versus Benfica.
Last 5 Matches: W-D-W-W-W ( Last match: Hertha Berlin 0-2 Bayern Munich)
Key Battles:
Robert Lewandowski vs Jose Gimenez
Robert Lewandowski has enjoyed his time in a Bayern Munich shirt. The Polish forward has had a scintillating season so far having already scored 40 goals and recording 3 assists in 47 appearances for the German side across all competitions. Eight of those goals have come in this very competition making the forward one of the most deadly marksmen in this competition.
This Bayern Munich side seems to function at a higher level with Robert Lewandowski in the team and that is the advantage they will hope to bank upon as they take on the defensive lynchpins of Europe. Diego Simeone’s men have been nothing short of miserly when it comes to their exploits defensively with even Barcelona struggling to breach them across two legs.
Jose Gimenez will need to be at his best to stop the Bayern Munich forward and will have to do so without the calm of his usual defensive partner Diego Godin at his side. With the 21-year-old Uruguayan having made a name for himself as the best young defender in Europe, he will have his hands full against the Pole. Regardless, this could well turn out to be the most crucial battle of the match.
Antoine Griezmann vs David Alaba
Bayern Munich has been facing somewhat of a defensive crisis themselves with a bunch of their usual center backs falling to injuries. With Jerome Boateng yet to train for much time since his return from a three-month absence, David Alaba is set to continue his duties at the heart of the Bayern defense, setting up the other great duel of the match.
Antoine Griezmann has quickly turned out to be somewhat of a transfer steal for this feisty Atletico Madrid side. The Spanish side has enjoyed the Frenchman’s ability to score goals from nowhere all season with Griezmann having scored 6 goals in this competition itself.
The matchup between the two players is set to be electric considering the bursts of acceleration and incredible guile these two players are blessed with. This is a victory for the neutrals if there ever was one.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid will probably get their clean sheet as they seem near invincible at the Vicente Calderon. Diego Simeone’s men seem likeliest to eke out a narrow win and a small advantage to take into the second leg.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich
