At Allianz Arena, one of the Europe greatest stadia, Atletico are looking for their 3rd ever CL final, while Guardiola’s Bayern wants to prove a point.
Bayern Munich are still waiting for the fourth consecutive Bundesliga title confirmation – although Munich was set to celebrate the title on Saturday, Borussia Munchengladbach took a point as Thomas Muller’s first-half header was cancelled out by Andre Hahn’s superb second-half strike for Gladbach. Bayern are away to mid-table Ingolstadt next Saturday, then host relegated Hanover on the final day of the season in a fortnight.
Still, even with all domestic titles secured, Pep Guardiola knows that his Bayern tenure will ultimately be judged on whether or not he is able to guide the club to Champions League glory. With his transfer to Man City already confirmed the pressure starts to build up, and after Bayern’s last two Champions League campaigns ended at the semi-final stage at the hands of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Guardiola will hope Bayern can avoid getting knocked out by another Spanish side.
As for Atletico, they managed to beat Rayo Vallecano and maintain their title hopes during the weekend, as Antoine Griezmann came off the bench to score the winner. Atletico remain level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga with just two games remaining. “It’s hard to defend the draw result because that won’t happen” Simeone ensured. “Our idea is to win, like against the any other team.”
Predicted lineups:
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Martinez, Boateng, Alaba; Alonso, Vidal, Costa, Ribery; Muller, Lewandowski.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Filipe Luis; Saul, Gabi, Augusto, Koke; Griezmann, Ferando Torres.
Head to Head:
In total three meetings between Bayern and Atletico, each of the results has happened once. Atletico’s last week victory was their first ever against Bayern, while their only previous competitive encounter before this season was in the 1974 European Cup final. The Bavarians were victorious 4-0 in a replay after the teams played out a 1-1 draw (after extra-time) in the initial final.
Match facts:
- 69% of teams who have won 1-0 at home in the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie have progressed to the next round (20 out of 29).
- Atletico Madrid have always progressed in their last six home/away knockout encounters with German sides in European competition. Dynamo Dresden were the last German team to eliminate them, back in the 1979/80 UEFA Cup first round.
- Atletico Madrid have reached the European Cup/Champions League final twice (1974 and 2014), losing on both occasions.
- Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have made it to the final of the competition on 10 occasions, the third-most behind Real Madrid (13, before this season) and AC Milan (11).
- Bayern Munich have won their last 11 Champions League home games, scoring 41 goals and conceding only six along the way. If they beat Atletico, they will equal the all-time Champions League record of 12 consecutive home wins currently held by Manchester Utd.
- The last team to stop Bayern Munich winning at the Allianz Arena in the Champions League were another Madrid side: Real in April 2014 (0-4).
- Bayern Munich have made it to the Champions League semi-finals in six of the last seven seasons. However, they have been knocked out at this stage by a Spanish team in each of the last two campaigns (Real Madrid in 2013/14, Barcelona in 2014/15).
Tean news – Bayern Munchen
Holger Badstuber and Arjen Robben have both been ruled out of action due to injuries, while Franck Ribery’s participation is in question due to a back problem.
Injured – Badstuber, Robben; Doubtful – Ribery
Team news – Atletico Madrid
Diego Godin is ready for Atletico, as is Yannick Carrasco, while Tiago remains injured for Diego Simeone’s side.
Injured – Tiago
Date: 3 May 2016
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (TUR).
From : SS
