They may be having a woeful season but Manchester United welcome Bayern Munich tonight in a clash of European heavyweights. Bayern still hold a grudge against the red army. That inexplicable, unexpected comeback in injury time fifteen years ago is still fresh in the memories of those in Bavaria. The Camp Nou miracle was a big blow to Bayern Munich and although they have paid the red devils back a couple of times, nothing will stop them from ensuring that UNITED don't go through them to win another Champions League title.
Bayern Munich were the best team in the World last season and this term, they have gotten even better. Pep Guardiola came in and raised the bar. They have the Buli wrapped up after practically walking it since it began in August. The Bavarians are chasing another treble and yet another peice of history. Victory in this tie will take them closer to their aim of becoming the first club to win the Champions League back to back. On paper, they should start preparing for the semi-final.
Manchester United bounced back from the disappointment of derby disaster to record a less than convincing win v Aston Villa in the early afternoon Saturday kick-off at Old Trafford. Some delusional and plastic fans flew a stupid banner half mast during the game to voice their displeasure at the recent bad results, especially the 3-0 losses to two of our biggest enemies-Liverpool and Manchester City. The 4-1 result on Saturday flattered the defending champions. A much better performance is needed tonight if the red army are to avoid a monumental embarrassment.
PROBABLE LINEUPS-
MANCHESTER UNITED:
DDG, Jones, Vidic, Evans, Buttner, Carrick, Fellaini, Giggs, Kagawa,Valencia, Rooney
BAYERN MUNICH:
Neuer, Rafinha, Boateng, Martinez, Alaba, Schweini, Lahm, Kroos, Robben, Ribery, Mandzukic
As if United don't have enough to worry about, Rafael is a doubt for tonight's match after skipping training due to a thigh strain suffered in the Aston Villa game. That coupled with the fact that RVP is out and Patrice Evra is suspended. Alex Buttner is set to play at left back which means the unenviable task of keeping Arjen Robben quiet is his to accomplish. Whoever plays at right back has to face the third best player in the World-Franck Ribery. The midfield has to include the bionic Giggs who put in one of those unbelievable shifts in the Olympiakos must win game. The Veteran welsh wizard has amassed ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY appearances in the Champions League.That alone deserves a Champions League winners medal. United know they have to double up on Toni Kroos tonight, henceI think Moyes will go with the Carrick-Fellaini partnership. The front line will consist of Kagawa-Rooney and Valencia if he passes a late fitness test.
Bayern Munich will have to do without Messrs Dnate (suspended) and Thiago (injured). Both have been pivotal this season and will be missed but the squad is so big and filled with World Class players that no one will notice their absence tonight. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos are more than capable of running the show. The 'ROBBERY' duo are a phenomenal pair. On both wings, it is almost impossible to stop them. United are set to deploy makeshift fullbacks tonight to compound the miserable season. FC Hollywood can afford to rest the likes of Shaqiri, Muller, Gotze and still put out a team capable of tearing any side apart.
Tonight, Wayne Rooney has a very important role to play. Rewind back to four years ago. He couldn't stamp his authority in the quarter-final 2nd leg at Old Trafford because he was injured. He can pour all the venom on them tonight after such a long wait. The Englishman is fresh from scoring a double at the weekend and entering the top four of the EPL's highest goal scorers of all time. Without RVP, the mantle of leading the team to victory falls on him. Juan Mata can play no part because he is cup-tied but Shinji Kagawa can light up the mood around Old Trafford and help his cause if he produces one of those great performances he is known for. Bayern Munich are well aware of his abilities as he has put them to the sword in the past. However, those days seem to be over now as he is getting back to that sparkling form that won him so many admirers. If he rekindles the love he has for the game, Bayern will have more problems than they envisaged.
Bayern need no elaboration. The German red devils come into this match as clear favourites to go through despite the best efforts of Ryan Giggs to dispel such assertion. It is crystal clear that they are the best team in the World and anything other than a victory tonight at the Theatre of dreams will be seen as a huge shock. Despite being held by a determined Hoffenheim at the weekend, they will go all out for a comfortable victory. The ROBBERY gang will be determined to go back home with something gargantuan after the one hour thirty minutes long operation.
Ohireime P EBoreime
@ohiskaka1990
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