FC Copenhagen and Bayern Munich face off for the first time ever in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
Danish giants FC Copenhagen will welcome German champions Bayern Munich to the Parken Stadium in what is the first competitive meeting between the teams in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
Bayern are currently top of Group A following their Matchday 1 win over Manchester United. A win on the night will see them strengthen their hold at the summit, giving them a big foot forward in the race to qualify for the knockout rounds.
Copenhagen drew their opener against Galatasaray and are seen as the underdogs in the group. They have not lost at home in the competition since 2013 and can make a huge statement if they can take anything off the Bavarians on the night.
Bayern are the favourites for the game but have lost their aura of invincibility in recent months. They fought back from two goals down at the weekend in the Bundesliga vs RB Leipzig but are there for the taking if opposition clubs decide to have a go.
Jacob Neestrup’s men are coming off a poor loss to FC Midtjylland but retain hold of the top of the domestic table. However, their unbeaten run in the competition at home will be put to the test on Tuesday.
Despite their win, Bayern also showed several weak spots against Manchester United on Matchday 1. Copenhagen caught Galatasaray cold on opening day but were unable to see off the game. A lot will depend on how well the Danes can keep up their energy against what is a far superior Bayern side. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on Sunday and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
FC Copenhagen
Dagens trio ved pressemødet i Parken 😀#UCL #fcklive pic.twitter.com/UEtjuShdMv
— F.C. København (@FCKobenhavn) October 2, 2023
The home side will hope to make another fast start on the night and will hope to catch their opponents napping. Having not made it to the knockout rounds since the 2010/11 season, the Danes will be keen to spring another surprise and go as far as they can in the competition.
Bayern are arguably the strongest side in Group A, and taking any point off them will certainly aid Copenhagen in their quest to get past the group stages. However, Jacob Neestrup will have to do so without the injured quartet of Nicolai Boilesen, Davit Khocholava, Kevin Diks, and Andreas Cornelius.
If things were not already hard enough, the Danes will also be without Elias Jelert, who is suspended for the game. A 4-3-3 formation appears to be the formation, with players rotated to make up for the absentees.
Kamil Grabara should start in goal behind the back four of Peter Ankersen, Denis Vavro, Christian Sorensen, and Birger Meling. Rasmus Falk is expected to hold the fort in the midfield, giving Diogo Goncalves and Lukas Lerager the freedom to push forward. Jordan Larsson should lead the line, with Elias Achouri and Mohamed Elyounoussi providing the width.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Grabara; Ankersen, Vavro, Sorensen, Meling; Goncalves, Falk, Lerager; Elyounoussi, Larsson, Achouri
Bayern Munich
The Bavarians are still the strongest side in Germany, and the Bundesliga holders but one could argue that several teams have caught them out since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel at the Allianz Arena.
The German boss has a rather successful yet chequered career and has struggled to push on from Julian Nagelsmann and make the Bavarians untouchable. In many ways, they appear vulnerable more than we have become accustomed to in recent times and could struggle against teams who have a go at them.
Manchester United could have had at least one point on matchday one had they gotten their act together while RB Leipzig once again laid bare Bayern’s deficiencies at the weekend. The presence of match winners certainly aids Die Roten’s cause, especially when the chips are down. But surely, it cannot last forever.
Final training ahead of #FCKFCB 👊#packmas pic.twitter.com/tgLHwYHlxl
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) October 2, 2023
Bayern last lost an away game to a Danish club in 1998 and will hope they can end their jynx in the Scandinavian land. However, Tuchel will be without Tarek Buchmann, Raphael Guerreiro, Manuel Neuer and Serge Gnabry, while Matthijs de Ligt is a doubt.
The 4-2-3-1 formation is still the way to go for Tuchel and he is unlikely to tinker with it on the night. Steven Ulreich should start in goal behind the back four of Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, and Alphonso Davies.
Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich should form the double pivot, giving the trio of Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman the freedom to push forward. Harry Kane has settled into life well in Bavaria and is the automatic choice to lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ulreich; Laimer, Upamecano, Min-Jae, Davies; Goretzka, Kimmich; Sane, Musiala, Coman; Kane
Key Stats
- FC Copenhagen and Bayern Munich are facing off for the first time ever in a competitive game.
- FC Copenhagen are winless in their 12 games against German opposition. This includes four draws and eight losses.
- Bayern Munich have lost their last two visits to Denmark. However, the most recent of these clashes was in 1998.
- FC Copenhagen are unbeaten in their last six Champions League games. Their last loss at home came against Real Madrid in 2013.
- Bayern Munich are unbeaten in their last 17 away games in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Avoiding a loss on the night will see them break Barcelona’s record for the longest unbeaten run away from home in the group stage.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
The England skipper has adjusted to life in Germany well and has carried on what he does best- scoring goals. With a return of nine goals and four assists in eight games, the striker is in top form and is arguably Bayern Munich’s biggest threat going forward.
As long as FC Copenhagen keep the 30-year-old quiet, there is a chance that they can frustrate Bayern. However, should Kane start on the front foot, he will take some stopping.
Prediction
FC Copenhagen 0-2 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are not in top form but the presence of players such as Harry Kane gives them a keen advantage. Thomas Tuchel will be keen to keep hold of the top spot and as long as his side turns up, they should have no trouble coming away with a comfortable win.
