| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 0. Valetin Stocker (86’) |
Troubled Bayern in Basel CL meeting
Bayern Munich’s Champions League visit to Basel on Wednesday has all the ingredients for an upset, with the Bavarians in the middle of a rocky patch.
Bastian Schweinsteiger’s injury, Arjen Robben’s loss of form and a dull goalless draw at Bundesliga strugglers Freiburg on Saturday combine to make Bayern look vulnerable.
But in Basel Bayern will look to maintain their perfect Champions League start which saw them edge past sides like Manchester City, Napoli and Villareal in the group stages.
Basel have already pulled off one shock this season by taking four points out of six from Manchester United in the group stages to qualify for the last 16 at the expense of the Premier League side.
The Swiss league champions also have inside knowledge of their opponents, as coach Heiko Vogel spent nine years working with Bayern’s youth scheme where he coached several members of the current team.
In another twist Basel winger Xherdan Shaqiri will be keen to show his future club what he is capable of, having already been signed by Bayern for next season.
Basel are unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions, their last defeat coming at home to Benfica in the Champions League in early November when Vogel took over following the sudden departure of Thorsten Fink to Hamburg SV.
Four-time European champions Bayern were almost untouchable earlier in the season but have struggled for form since the New Year.
The Bavarians have dropped from first to third in the Bundesliga, four points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.
Dutch winger Robben has been left out by coach Jupp Heynckes and described as “selfish” by honorary president Franz Beckenbauer.
Schweinsteiger, who usually runs the midfield, has been ruled out for several weeks with an ankle injury.
That is a severe blow to Bayern especially as he scored both goals in the 2-1 win at Basel in last season’s group stages.
Bayern however are still chasing a Bundesliga-German Cup-Champions League treble and the fact their Allianz Arena will stage the final of Europe’s elite club competition is a huge incentive.
Kick-off for this encounter is at 21:45 at the St Jakub Park.
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