Bayern Munich host Red Star Belgrade on the matchday 1 in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday night. The Germans head into the competition on the back of solid results in the Bundesliga and shouldn’t be too troubled by the Serbians.
Niko Kovac’s team is a part of Group B alongside Red Star Belgrade, Tottenham Hotspur, and Olympiacos. Bayern Munich are the favourites to win the group and advance to the knockout round with Tottenham Hotspur the next team expected to reach the next round.
Red Star Belgrade will hope to throw a spanner in the works for Bayern Munich and the rest of the teams in Group B.
Despite finishing bottom of their group in the 2018-19 Champions League, Red Star Belgrade had a good showing. They even upset eventual winners Liverpool at their intimidating Rajko Mitic Stadium.
Manager Vladan Mijailovic led his team through Champions League qualification just to reach the group stage. Red Star Belgrade began their season in early July and navigated tricky waters past Suduva Marijampole, HJK, FC Copenhagen, and Young Boys to qualify for the tournament proper.
Bayern Munich have played far less football than Red Star Belgrade. They are just four matches into the Bundesliga season and currently sit fourth in the league with eight points from 12.
Kovac’s team is coming off of a pulsating match on Saturday afternoon against Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig. Bayern Munich scored in the third minute, but conceded a penalty just before halftime. Despite a high-octane second half, the match finished 1-1.
Bayern Munich have not won the Champions League Final since 2013 when they defeated Borussia Dortmund. Pep Guardiola wasn’t able to lead them to the promised land, but Kovac is capable of doing it.
Midfielder Philippe Coutinho has started life well at the Allianz Arena. His creativity coupled with Roberto Lewandowski’s finishing could be the thing to get Bayern Munich back to a Champions League Final.
Kovac will be light in midfield and defence due to injury. Midfielder Leon Goretzka recently had surgery to clear up a thigh problem. He is still recovering from the procedure. Left-back David Alaba is also missing following a groin strain suffered during the warm-up against RB Leipzig on Saturday.
Es kribbelt schon! Morgen geht's wieder los! 😍 #FCBFKCZ #UCL #packmas pic.twitter.com/EhnQU8YY8l— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) September 17, 2019
Es kribbelt schon! Morgen geht's wieder los! 😍 #FCBFKCZ #UCL #packmas pic.twitter.com/EhnQU8YY8l
Red Star Belgrade’s dangerman is Milan Pavkov. The 25-year-old striker has bagged six goals combined in the Champions League and Serbian top flight.
The Serbians are taking a major step up in competition from qualifying. While they got through the four qualification rounds, they rode their luck at times.
Bayern Munich should have little trouble dispatching the Serbians on Wednesday night at home. Expect over 2.5 goals scored and Manuel Neuer to keep a matchday 1 clean sheet.