Bayern Munich head to Liverpool FC on Tuesday night for the first of their two legged UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie. The venue is not beloved by Bayern winger Arjen Robben, who has seen two major UCL heartbreaks there (with Chelsea in 2005 and 2007).
“You always have your favorite opponent and there always has to be a negative one,” the Dutchman said in an interview with The Guardian. “I think, if you ask [about] the worst stadium for me, it’s probably Liverpool.”
“At that time [Liverpool] were really capable of being this cup fighter team, also in the FA Cup or [League] Cup.”
“In one or two games they could really live up to it and perform; just not the whole season, which was maybe too much. That was their biggest quality: they were there at the moment they needed to be there.”
“Now I think it changed and they developed really well. The manager has done a great job.”
Robben is a doubt to even feature in this match though as he’s recovering from a thigh injury. On the other wing, Bayern insist that Kingsley Coman will be fit to feature, despite a knock on his ankle limiting him to just light training on Sunday. Striker Thomas Muller is also set to miss out as he is suspended.
Record signing Corentin Tolisso is also out of commission for this one. The good news is that goalkeeper and team captain Manuel Neuer has declared himself fit, after having missed significant time.
Meanwhile the Reds will have yet another match with an injury crisis in defense. Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren are set to miss out, as neither made the warm training trip to southern Spain.
The Reds will also be without Virgil van Dijk, as the most expensive defender in history will be suspended in this one.
Bayern Munich at Liverpool FC UEFA Champions League Round of 16 FYIs
Kickoff: Tuesday, February 19, 8PM local, Anfield
Liverpool Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Odds via Odds Checker: Liverpool 21/20, Draw 14/5, Bayern Munich 47/17
Odds to win UCL via Skybet: Liverpool 8/1, Bayern Munich 14/1
Google Result Probability: Liverpool 48% Draw 26% Bayern Munich 26%
Recent form in all competition:
Liverpool WWDDW Bayern Munich WLWWW
Prediction: Liverpool 1, Bayern Munich 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.