01 November 2021, 10:13 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
With a win over S.L. Benfica at the Allianz Arena on Matchday 4, F.C. Bayern Munich hopes to secure a place in the last-16 with two games to spare. The other half of this double-header kicks off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Tuesday, November 2. Referee Szymon Marciniak (POL) will be in charge, working alongside the assistants, Paweł Sokolnicki (POL) and Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL). Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL) will be the Video Assistant Referee.
Preview FC Bayern München Champions League, Nov 2, 2021
Preview Having suffered an embarrassing 5-0 defeat in the hands of Borussia Mönchengladbach in Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal fixture, Bayern Munich bounced back to winning ways in a 5-2 win over Union Berlin at the weekend. Yet again, Robert Lewandowski (15’ P. & 23’) bagged a brace, inside the opening half-hour. Back on European soil, Bayern put Benfica aside in another show of European dominance, crushing the Eagles in a 4-0 win on Matchday 3. An own goal from Everton Soares (80’ O.G.), coupled with a brace from Leroy Sane (70’ & 84’) and an addition from Robert Lewandowski (82’) was enough to leave Bayern at the top of Group E. - With three wins in as many UCL games this season: 3W, 0D, & 0L, while having 9 points. Yet to concede halfway through the group stage, Bayern have won all but one in five games across all competitions: WWWLW. As expected, Nagelsmann’s 4—2—3—1 formation will see Lewandowski in attack ahead of the familiar trio consisting of Thomas Müller, Leroy Sane, and Serge Gnabry on Tuesday as he looks to wrap up three points. A century of UEFA Champions League appearances awaits the European Golden Shoe winner (2020/21) and Ballon d'Or (2021) nominee, Lewandowski. Having scored his 78th UEFA Champions League goal on Matchday 3, his fifth of the campaign, Robert Lewandowski will aim to add to the tally on Tuesday when he achieves the personal numerical milestone. Meanwhile, Lucas Hernández and Dayot Upamecano will miss the next game if they receive a booking on Tuesday
Preview Benfica Champions League, Nov 2, 2021
Preview S.L. Benfica picked up a 1-1 draw in the domestic home game against G.D. Estoril Praia over the weekend. Back on European soil, the Portuguese outfit sits in 2nd place in Group E with 4 points after 1W, 1D & 1L, while having only two victories in five games across all competitions: WLWDD. Manager Jorge Jesus will aim for at least a point while hoping Dynamo Kiev defeats Barcelona in another Group E fixture on Tuesday. Jorge Jesus adopted the 3—4—3 formation with Roman Yaremchuk serving as the focal point in attack in the first part of this double-header. However, that failed to bring the required results. A much wiser Jorge may go for a defensive formation as he hopes to contain a rampant Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Rafa Silva and Nicolás Otamendi will miss the next match should any of them receive a booking on Tuesday. Haris Seferovic is ruled out with a muscle injury, while Rodrigo Pinho underwent knee surgery.