Bayern Munich vs Chelsea (Agg: 3-0)
Allianz Arena, Munich
Saturday, 08-08-2020 @10pm
Ref: Ovidiu Hategan (Romania)
Chelsea travel to Germany to take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg, with the herculean task of turning a 3-0 deficit around if they are to secure an unlikely berth in the quarter-final.
A tetchy Blues back line was taken to the cleaners when the two teams met last time out, as a brace from Serge Gnabry followed by a 76th minute strike from Robert Lewandowski summed up a captivating a 3-0 win for Bayern.
The German champions, owing to the form they’ve maintained since Hansi Flick’s arrival, already have one foot inside the quarter-final.
While Bayern have their batteries recharged after over a month’s break from their DFB-Pokal triumph, Chelsea are struck with injuries and suspensions heading into what is set to be their toughest fixture of the season.
Frank Lampard has a huge headache with regard to his team selection, but it does provide a chance for a few players to showcase their skill.
Chelsea have scored three away goals in a knockout game only once, winning 3-1 at Anfield back in 2009. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, have conceded three or more times on three out of 43 matches in UCL knockouts.
It sure is a close to impossible task for Chelsea, and on that note, we bring all you need to know ahead of their away match-up with Bayern Munich.
In what appears as an otherwise fully fit squad, Bayern Munich will be without right-back Benjamin Pavard for the Chelsea clash. Joshua Kimmich, in such circumstances, should slot into that position.
Kingsley Coman is currently carrying a muscular problem, which puts his place in the starting XI in jeopardy.
The long list of injuries and suspensions at Chelsea begins with the three players who sustained them during the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Christian Pulicic are sidelined with hamstring pulls, with the latter battling a race against time to be fit for the opening Premier League game next season.
Pedro, following a shoulder injury, has surely played his last game for the Blues.
Willian, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante may not be fit enough to start. Billy Gilmour remains a long-term absentee.
Jorginho and Marcos Alonso are suspended, leaving Lampard with no option at the pivot role. Emerson could, therefore, make a rare appearance.
Bayern Munich have only hosted Chelsea once previously for a competitive match, winning 3-2 in April 2005 in the Champions League, with current Chelsea manager Frank Lampard scoring the opening goal for the Blues. Chelsea and Bayern Munich last faced in the Allianz Arena in the 2012 Champions League final, with the Blues victorious on penalties after a 1-1 draw. In the entire history of the European Cup and Champions League, no team has ever won by three or more goals in the first leg of a knockout match away from home and failed to progress, going through on all 92 previous occasions. Chelsea are winless in their last seven away Champions League matches in the knockout stages (D4 L3) since a 1-0 win at Benfica in March 2012 in the quarter final. Chelsea have only scored three goals in an away Champions League knockout match once previously, winning 3-1 at Liverpool in April 2009; Bayern have only conceded three times in three of their 43 home Champions League knockout games, though did so most recently in a 1-3 defeat to Liverpool in March 2019. Bayern have won their first seven Champions League games this season, scoring 27 goals and conceding just five. Only one team has ever won their first eight matches of a campaign, with Barcelona winning their first nine in 2002-03 across the two group stages, before going out in the quarter final.
The other Champions League game on Saturday
-Barcelona vs Napoli (Agg: 1-1)
Champions League results on Friday
-Man City 2-1 Real Madrid (Agg: 4-2)
-Juventus 2-1 Lyon (Agg: 2-2)
