Kicking off their seventeenth consecutive 12 months within the Champions League, Bayern Munich will host Dinamo Zagreb on the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night.
The six-time European champions had been dethroned within the Bundesliga final season however have made a robust begin this time period.
Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb has reclaimed the highest spot in Croatia and returns for one more shot at glory on the European stage.
A staple in UEFA’s premier membership competitors, Bayern Munich has certified for the knockout levels in every of its 17 consecutive group-stage appearances, showcasing a formidable observe file.
The Bavarians stay unbeaten in 40 group matches, having gained 36 and set a file with 17 consecutive victories earlier than their dwelling draw with Copenhagen final season.
After ending prime of their group once more, Bayern navigated previous Lazio and Arsenal within the preliminary knockout rounds, setting the stage for a high-stakes semifinal conflict with Real Madrid.
They got here agonizingly near reaching one other ultimate, however the Spanish facet struck twice late within the second leg to overturn the tie, including to the woes of former boss Thomas Tuchel, who left in the summertime.
The ex-Chelsea supervisor didn’t safe a twelfth consecutive Bundesliga title for Bayern, who relinquished the Meisterschale and completed third behind new champions Bayer Leverkusen and shock package deal Stuttgart.
After their lowest league end since 2011, relative newcomer Vincent Kompany was introduced in to revitalize an getting old squad. Under his steering, Bayern has secured 4 straight wins throughout all competitions.
In their newest match, Die Roten dismantled Holstein Kiel 6-1, with Jamal Musiala scoring inside 14 seconds and Harry Kane, recent off reaching 100 caps for England, netting a hat trick.
Dinamo Zagreb has confronted Bayern Munich twice within the Champions League, with each matches occurring in 2015. On every event, Pep Guardiola’s facet emerged victorious, with Robert Lewandowski scoring 5 targets throughout the 2 video games.
While Dinamo has been dominant in home competitions, this shall be solely its third look in eight years on the Champions League group stage, having completed final in every of its earlier seven makes an attempt.
This season, the Croatian membership will deal with UEFA’s revamped league section after securing a record-extending twenty fifth HNL title – its seventh consecutive league triumph – and including the cup to realize its thirteenth home double.
Last season, Dinamo completed second in its Europa Conference League group and superior to the final 16 after defeating Real Betis within the knockout-round playoffs. Despite a 2-0 dwelling win, a 5-1 away defeat to PAOK led to their elimination.
In the present Champions League marketing campaign, Dinamo Zagreb navigated the playoffs by comfortably beating Qarabag 5-0 on combination, extending its spectacular unbeaten streak throughout all competitions.
However, its 23-match league unbeaten run, stretching again to January, ended with a defeat to arch-rivals Hajduk Split final week, inflicting it to drop from the highest of the desk.
With Leroy Sane making his season debut on Saturday, Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany ought to have most of his key gamers obtainable for midweek motion.
The solely absentees for Die Roten’s Champions League opener shall be Josip Stanisic (knee), Tarek Buchmann (thigh), and summer season signing Hiroki Ito (foot).
Sane, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, Mathys Tel, and Michael Olise are all vying for spots within the attacking third. Jamal Musiala is anticipated to start out alongside Harry Kane, who notched his fortieth objective in 35 Bundesliga appearances over the weekend, together with his fifth hat trick.
Following Dinamo Zagreb’s defeat in Croatia’s ‘everlasting derby,’ coach Sergej Jakirovic might make changes, probably together with ahead Sandro Kulenovic within the beginning XI.
The 24-year-old, who scored 5 targets in six league video games this season, got here on at halftime throughout Friday’s loss to Hajduk Split.
Regardless of the modifications, Croatian striker Bruno Petkovic is anticipated to guide the assault, supported by midfielders Petar Sucic and Martin Baturina.
Source: www.dailysabah.com