Manchester City face Bayern Munich in a crucial Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night. Bayern may have already won Group E but City will be eliminated if they fail to win and CSKA v Roma does not end in a draw. We take a look at the key battles on the field and where the match could be won and lost for either team:
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Vincent Kompany v Robert Lewandowski
Six goals in his first 11 appearances for the Bundesliga champions, Lewandowski may have cost absolutely nothing in the way of a transfer fee but he’s now proving to be absolutely priceless after a slow start to his Bayern career. Man City may wish they could borrow just one player from the Germans’ impressive strike force with such limited option in their injury ravaged forward line.
City captain and stalwart Vincent Kompany is fit again after overcoming a calf injury to see off Swansea on Saturday. City’s form has been inconsistent of late and that’s partly been down to some questionable defending and whoever partners Kompany will presumably have their hands full in keeping Bayern’s explosive forwards.
Frank Lampard v Xabi Alonso
With Yaya Toure and Fernandinho suspended following some inexplicable moments of madness against CSKA Moscow in the last tie of the round, City will have to rely on an ageing Frank Lampard and inconsistent Fernando to shepherd their midfield.
Lampard has done well when he’s been called on this season but will most likely be up against Bayern’s bargain of the summer Xabi Alonso who has a 92.7% pass success rate in the Champions League this season, according to WhoScored. Bastian Schweinsteiger is also fit again which may make it a bridge too far for the Chelsea legend.
Sergio Aguero v Jerome Boateng
Despite missing training on Monday, both Sergio Aguero and Stevan Jovetic have been confirmed as fit by boss Manuel Pellegrini. And City will need their strike force to be firing on all cylinders if they are to break through a Bayern side that has conceded just once in their opening four games.
Ironically, it was the former Man City man Jeromy Boateng and his last minute strike in Germany that separated these two sides in their previous match. Boateng is a slight doubt for the game but will no doubt be up for the fight against his old team.