German champions Bayern Munich travel to war-troubled Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League clash. Last season Bayern seemed capable of defending their title but they were thrashed by Ream Madrid in the semi finals, 5-0 on aggregate. Pep Guardiola's men have reached the knockout stage after winning five of their six group matches.
Bayern have not been brilliant after the winter break, they started with a defeat and a draw, but last weekend they made amends in a spectacular 8-0 win over Hamburg in the Bundesliga. They will be without Xabi Alonso though due to a hamstring issue, while captain Philipp Lahm, Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez remain out of contention.
Shakhtar have been on a break since December, they haven't played a competitive match since their last Champions League group clash, a 1-1 draw at FC Porto. Taras Stepanenko will not play due to suspension. The Ukrainian champions have won just two of their six home matches against German opposition. However, Bayern have won just one of their four matches in Ukraine.
Probable line-ups:
Shakhtar: Pyatov - Srna, Ordets, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk - Teixeira, Bernard, Costa, Fernando - Adriano, Taison
Bayern: Neuer - Bernat, Benatia, Boateng, Rafinha - Schweinsteiger, Alaba, Muller, Robben, Ribery - Lewandowski
My prediction: Bayern to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Shakhtar win - 8/1 Draw - 4/1 Bayern win - 2/5
Shumar4life
9 years ago
Despite poor draw and poor game from both of teams, I believe that Bayern will show their class in Germany, and that they will pass Shakhtar. Ukraine's team has lot of on their minds, and match with Bayern will be chance to play one good match, but I don't believe that thay have lot of chances
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timidi 9 years ago
Just as I was saying... this wasn't easy match for Bayern and I even guess correct score 0-0 :) I knew that Shakhtar is well prepared for this match and they played very well. They were great in defense and Bayern didn't have answer for that and than they became nervous and Xabi Alonso received that red card and after than...
Just as I was saying... this wasn't easy match for Bayern and I even guess correct score 0-0 :) I knew that Shakhtar is well prepared for this match and they played very well. They were great in defense and Bayern didn't have answer for that and than they became nervous and Xabi Alonso received that red card and after than Bayern should be happy with this draw. It will be hard in Germany for Shakhtar but not impossible :)
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mdacic 9 years ago
This will be easy match for Bayern. If they play with Robben, Ribery and Lewandowski I think that they must score at least 3 goals tonight. Shakhtar is weaker than last year and they didn't have luck and they must play against one of the best teams on the world. TI wish them good luck but it will be hard to do anything...
This will be easy match for Bayern. If they play with Robben, Ribery and Lewandowski I think that they must score at least 3 goals tonight. Shakhtar is weaker than last year and they didn't have luck and they must play against one of the best teams on the world. TI wish them good luck but it will be hard to do anything to Bayern.
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timidi 9 years ago
champions league is finally here :) Tonight Bayern will have hard job. I think that they won't win so easy like all you think. Shakhtar have great players who knows to play football. I think that Shakhtar can hold ball and pressure Bayern. I think that tonight we will see game with small number of goals and we are closest...
champions league is finally here :) Tonight Bayern will have hard job. I think that they won't win so easy like all you think. Shakhtar have great players who knows to play football. I think that Shakhtar can hold ball and pressure Bayern. I think that tonight we will see game with small number of goals and we are closest to draw 0-0. I will be with Shakhtar with all my heart and I hope that we can do something tonight, something good
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h34dhunt3r
9 years ago
Let's be real - Shakhtar Donetsk stand no chance in this match. Bayern is one of the strongest teams wordwide. On the other hand, Shakhtar used to be strong, but lately they are going down considering situation in Ukraine. They are not playing on their homefield in Donetsk, few players left during winter and overall situation...
Let's be real - Shakhtar Donetsk stand no chance in this match. Bayern is one of the strongest teams wordwide. On the other hand, Shakhtar used to be strong, but lately they are going down considering situation in Ukraine. They are not playing on their homefield in Donetsk, few players left during winter and overall situation in the club is not ideal. Bayern takes this at least 0-2.
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seculla
9 years ago
On the paper Bayern Munich is very big favorite and this match is presented as "David and Goliath battle". But I'm not so sure that Bayern is that big favorite, they are favorite but I'm sure that Shakhtar will show us tomorrow that they will not give up. If you ask me Bayern, along with Chelsea and Real Madrid are the...
On the paper Bayern Munich is very big favorite and this match is presented as "David and Goliath battle". But I'm not so sure that Bayern is that big favorite, they are favorite but I'm sure that Shakhtar will show us tomorrow that they will not give up. If you ask me Bayern, along with Chelsea and Real Madrid are the biggest favorites to win the Champions League, but I'm sure that Bayern will not pass Shakhtar that easy like almost everyone are expecting. Also I'm sure that tomorrow on this match we will see many goals, at least 4.
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sharpe
9 years ago
Will be a tough game for Bayern I think, Shakhtar Donetsk is a well managed and financed team. When it comes to Russia and Ukraine the weather is always a factor by this time of the year. So I expect to be difficult game for both sides but of course Bayern is a big favourite for this one.
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