Bayern Munich may well have had all their eggs in the Champions League basket since they were beaten in Leverkusen on 10 February.
After coming from behind to bypass Lazio in the round of 16, Thomas Tuchel’s side have a great shot at progressing into the last four after earning a 2-2 draw at Arsenal.
Victory on Wednesday will guarantee Bayern’s place in the semi-finals, although sure things haven’t been quite so predictable for Die Roten this season. Tuchel would’ve undoubtedly been encouraged by his side’s first leg showing, but he will hindered by injuries and suspensions for the return fixture.
Here’s the starting lineup the Bayern boss could pick on Wednesday night.
GK: Manuel Neuer – Cool as ever in the first leg, Neuer has been here before and his sweeping will be key in shunning Arsenal from exploiting the space in behind Bayern’s defence.
RB: Joshua Kimmich – Kimmich tamed Gabriel Martinelli last week and the pair are set to go at it again in Munich. It’s a key duel that could determine the second leg.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – De Ligt may not boast the athleticism of Dayot Upamecano or even Kim Min-jae, but the Dutchman has played his way into favour after a tough start to the season.
CB: Eric Dier – There was no rest for Dier at the weekend, with Tuchel remarkably stumbling upon De Ligt and Dier as his preferred centre-back combination.
LB: Raphael Guerreiro – Alphonso Davies is suspended for the second leg after picking up his third booking of the Champions League campaign. Guerreiro is a fine replacement, mind. Noussair Mazrauoi could also be considered.
CM: Konrad Laimer – Laimer hasn’t exactly shown his best at Bayern, but he was excellent in the first leg and he’ll once again be tasked with shackling Martin Odegaard.
CM: Leon Goretzka – The German also impressed in north London, although a deeper Arsenal block could highlight his limitations.
RM: Leroy Sane – A doubt heading into this one after missing Saturday’s win over FC Koln, Sane was majestic in the first half at the Emirates. The winger is expected to be fit.
AM: Thomas Muller – Injuries to Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman mean Muller, an unused substitute in north London, should come into the team. The wily veteran scored at the weekend.
LM: Jamal Musiala – If Arsenal drop deeper in a bid to contain the hosts, Musiala’s genius work in tight spaces must come to the fore. A concerted effort must be made to stop the German international.
ST: Harry Kane – Kane enjoyed his return to the Emirates last week, sitting down David Raya from the penalty spot. He was very good in the first leg, and Tottenham’s all-time record goalscroer will be desperate to send Arsenal packing.
