Bayern Munich host Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in a battle between two sides flying excessive domestically however seemingly struggling to regulate to the brand new Champions League format.
After 4 video games, Bayern have misplaced twice — together with a 4-1 defeat by Barcelona, led by their former boss Hansi Flick — and sit seventeenth, which would go away them unseeded for the knockout section play-off.
PSG’s scenario is even worse, with the French champions in twenty fifth — one spot exterior the knockout locations fully.
For 2 groups who contested the Champions League last simply 4 years in the past, and who each lead their leagues by six factors, the lowly rankings are already trigger for concern.
Bayern’s struggles are a far cry from their exploits within the outdated group stage, the place the six-time European champions signed off with a document 40-match unbeaten run, that includes 36 wins and 4 attracts.
Their final loss within the group section got here again in 2017 — a 3-0 defeat to Tuesday’s opponents PSG.
This season, aside from Bayern’s loss in Barcelona, which led to whispers new coach Vincent Kompany could wrestle towards high sides, the German giants have impressed.
Unbeaten within the league, Bayern’s solely different defeat got here within the Champions League away at Aston Villa — a 1-0 loss in a repeat of the 1982 European Cup last.
As it will be for PSG, a league section elimination stays an unthinkable risk — and one which might have actual ramifications for Kompany.
The crowded soccer calendar supplies an actual incentive for ending within the high eight and avoiding the additional play-off spherical for groups ending from ninth to twenty fourth.
Thomas Mueller is aware of PSG, who nonetheless must play Manchester Metropolis, shall be keen to achieve floor after an underwhelming begin in Europe.
“Paris’ place within the desk doesn’t replicate their efficiency. They are a tremendous group with tremendous particular person gamers,” the Bayern veteran instructed BR24 on Saturday.
“Quite a bit is at stake. I am comfortable it is at dwelling.”
– ‘Married couple’ –
PSG’s loss to Bayern within the 2020 last — when their former academy product Kingsley Coman scored the winner towards them — stays the closest the French facet have come to Champions League glory.
Collectively, Bayern and PSG have gained 21 of the previous 24 league titles on supply at dwelling, and the 2 have made a behavior of operating into one another in Europe.
Tuesday’s assembly marks the fourth time in six seasons the pair will meet. Bayern have gained 4 of the 5 previous video games however PSG did remove them within the quarter-finals of the 2020-21 competitors.
“Within the Champions League, you nearly really feel we’re a married couple,” Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen stated earlier this yr after the draw was made.
PSG’s swift attackers will hope to bother a Bayern facet lacking defensive midfielders Aleksandar Pavlovic and Joao Palhinha.
The out-of-form Leon Goretzka deputised effectively in Friday’s 3-0 dwelling win over Augsburg, however PSG are prone to pose a special degree of menace.
Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano is best positioned than most to know what to anticipate from France team-mates Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola.
“It is an vital recreation for us,” Upamecano instructed Telefoot on Sunday.
“In the event you take a look at the desk, it is not nice — we aren’t the place we need to be.”
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