Bayern Munich will be hoping to rediscover their winning form when they lock horns with Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday.
Bayern Munich suffered a major blow on the weekend as a shock 2-1 defeat to FC Augsburg helped Borussia Dortmund close the gap at the top to just one point.
With less than two weeks remaining until they travel to Signal Iduna Park to face the Black and Yellows, Bayern will be desperate to rediscover their winning momentum. Fortunately for them, they have a relatively easier set of fixtures coming up, starting from Tuesday when they lock horns with Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Champions League.
The Bavarians have sealed their place in the knockout stage of the competition, having won all four of their matches so far. They are also likely to finish top of Group E, which means this is little more than a dead rubber for the German Rekordmeister.
It is also a largely inconsequential game for their opponent, Dynamo Kyiv, but for contrasting reasons. The Ukrainian giants have lost three of their four matches so far, with no chance of advancing to the knockout stages.
There is a slight window of opportunity for Dynamo to potentially finish third and secure a playoff berth in the UEFA Europa League. But that would require them to beat Bayern, a monumental task for any club in Europe right now. However, they will take inspiration from Bayern’s recent defeat to Augsburg and hope to replicate a similar level of success at home.
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over these two sides ahead of their enticing encounter at Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex this midweek.
Team News & Tactics
Dynamo Kyiv
Підтримайте «Динамо» у матчі з «Баварією» ?
Вже найближчого вівторка, 23 листопада, «біло-сині» прийматимуть мюнхенську «Баварію» ⚡️
Квитки на гру #ДинамоБаварія ? ⤵️https://t.co/3NdPDT9rGw pic.twitter.com/gdIsgYFd4b
— FC Dynamo Kyiv (@DynamoKyiv) November 20, 2021
Dynamo Kyiv head coach Mircea Lucescu has three absentees in his team’s strike force, with Ibrahim Kargbo Jr., Artem Besedin and Vladyslav Supryaga all out with injuries.
As such, the hosts will once again be forced to deploy Denys Garmash as the leader of the attack, with additional assistance from the creative trifecta involving Carlos de Pena, Vitaliy Buyalskyi and the club’s top-scorer, Viktor Tsygankov.
It appears unlikely that Lucescu would want to shift away from the 4-2-3-1 that will offer him team parity in terms of numbers in midfield and defence. However, the double-pivot involving Mykola Shaparenko and captain Serhiy Sydorchuk still have their work cut out against the Bayern Munich midfielders, who are technically astute enough to evade their press.
Defensively, the young central defensive duo of Ilya Zabarnyi and Oleksandr Syrota did not give a good account of themselves in the reverse fixture in Munich. But with the added home support, they will be hoping to produce an improved display, especially with the help of the somewhat experienced full-backs in Tomasz Kedziora and Oleksandr Karavaev, who is likely to deputise for the doubtful Vitaliy Mykolenko.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bushchan; Kedziora, Zabarnyi, Syrota, Karavaev; Sydorchuk, Shaparenko; Tsygankov, Buyalskiy, De Pena; Garmash
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have been the subject of major speculation among the German media sphere in recent weeks, particularly surrounding Joshua Kimmich’s vaccination status. The midfielder is currently in quarantine along with several other stars, including Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Michael Cuisance, Serge Gnabry and Jamala Musiala, while Niklas Sule and Josip Stanisic are out as well.
Bayern squad traveling to Kiev. #UCL pic.twitter.com/IoirYNSg92
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) November 22, 2021
Bayern are also expected to miss out on Dayot Upamecano due to suspension, which means there could be a rare starting opportunity for Tanguy Nianzou. The youngster is likely to feature at the heart of the four-man backline alongside Lucas Hernandez, while Benjamin Pavard and Alphonso Davies should occupy the full-back positions.
In midfield, Marcel Sabitzer’s disappointing performance against Augsburg could cost him his place in the side despite the absence of Kimmich. In his stead, Corentin Tolisso is likely to form the double-pivot alongside Leon Goretzka, hoping to add the creative essence in the middle of the park.
With Musiala and Gnabry out, it is an excellent opportunity for Julian Nagelsmann to start Kingsley Coman. His speed on the flanks could pose all kinds of problems for the Dynamo Kyiv defenders on the left flank. The same can be said for Leroy Sane on the opposite flank, as the two, along with Thomas Muller, look to create goalscoring opportunities for Robert Lewandowski upfront.
There could be a potential opportunity for the young and exciting Malik Tilman. The attacking midfielder has done an excellent job in the youth competitions and is one to keep an eye on this midweek.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Pavard, Nianzou, Hernandez, Davies; Goretzka, Tolisso; Sane, Muller, Coman; Lewandowski
Key Stats
- Leroy Sane has had a direct hand in at least one goal in all four of his Champions League appearances so far this season (four goals, four assists).
- Bayern Munich boast the 2020/21 group stage’s best attack (17 goals scored) and meanest defence (two against). The group-stage record for goals scored is 25; Bayern’s is 24.
- The German record champions have won their section 17 times, including in each of the last three seasons. Only Barcelona (21) have done so more often.
- Bayern Munich are unbeaten in a competition record 20 away Champions League games (W16 D4) going back to 2017.
- Dynamo Kyiv have lost six of 11 meetings with Bayern in the UEFA competition (W4 D1).
Player To Watch
Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski has won the 2021 Golden Player Award, presented by @tuttosport to the best player in the world in 2021 for the second time in a row. Lewandowski finished ahead of Jorginho in second place and Messi in third pic.twitter.com/hzlr253ujC
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) November 22, 2021
As we move closer towards the Ballon D’Or verdict, the tension is growing between the two undisputed favourites in Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi. While the Argentine has the edge due to his Copa America triumph, Lewandowski certainly has been superior when it comes to individual performances.
The Pole has started the new season with 24 goals in just 18 competitive appearances. He is the leading goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League, with eight goals in just four matches. He has netted in every game so far and has the record of scoring more goals (81) after 100 appearances than any other player in the competition’s history.
Lewandowski will be hoping to maintain that record and continue his merry ways of scoring goals as he continues to eye the ultimate individual prize this season.
Prediction
Dynamo Kyiv 0-3 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are arguably the best in the world when it comes to responding to adversity. Following their 2-1 defeat to Augsburg and strong criticism from Julian Nagelsmann about the team’s performance, they are more than likely to regroup themselves and come out all guns blazing against a Dynamo Kyiv side that has not shown too much quality in the Champions League this season.
The reverse fixture between the two sides ended 5-0, and we are expecting a similar result this time out, with Lewandowski likely to find himself among the goals.
