Five talking points ahead of Bayern Munich V Atletico Madrid

03 May 2016 02:41

Bayern Munich face an uphill battle on Tuesday night when they look to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Atletico Madrid in their Champions League semi-final second leg at the Allianz Arena.

Saul Niguez's brilliant solo goal in Spain separates the two sides, putting Bayern on the brink of elimination to Primera Division opposition at the last-four stage for the third straight season, after defeats to Real Madrid and Barcelona in 2014 and 2015.

Here we look at five points of intrigue heading into the decisive clash.

TACTICS

Diego Simeone got the better of Pep Guardiola in the first leg. Atletico's high pressing game deep in the Bayern half yielded the early goal, putting increased pressure on the German club to get an away goal. Atletico's typically brilliantly-organised defensive unit meant they did not get it.

However, Guardiola did not help himself with the decision to bench Thomas Muller in favour of Thiago Alcantara. Stability in midfield was Guardiola's thinking but the move did not bring the results that he expected - highlighted by Saul's goal as he weaved his way past Thiago and Xabi Alonso.

It will be interesting to see whether Guardiola sticks with that tactic in the second leg or takes another approach. Simeone is not under pressure to change as the impetus is on Bayern to get back into the tie.

AWAY GOAL

Failing to score at Vicente Calderon was a huge blow for Bayern. It means they have to beat Atletico by a two-goal margin - something no team has managed to do in any competition since Celta Vigo's 2-0 home win over Simeone's side in February 2015.

If Atletico were to score in Germany then that could be terminal to Bayern's hopes of reaching the final as they would then need to score three goals, which would be a very tall order against this Atletico side. The longer it remains goalless, the more likely the game is to open up.

CASE FOR THE DEFENCES

Bayern had been without Jerome Boateng for just over three months prior to his return from injury at the weekend, while Diego Godin missed the first leg for Atletico. Both players are among the best central defenders in the world and their quality could help to influence such an important game.

Whether either will be 100 per cent fit for Tuesday night, that is the question. During the 2014 Champions League final Simeone made a mistake in starting Diego Costa when the striker was not completely fit. That cost his side a much-needed substitute, and a wrong decision in Germany could prove costly.

FORWARD THINKING

In Robert Lewandowski Bayern boast the Bundesliga's top scorer and one of the most consistent goal-getters on the continent. Muller, who scored at the weekend and must surely return to the starting line-up in Europe, thrives from a deeper role. The pair have each managed eight goals in the Champions League this season.

Antoine Griezmann is Atletico's leading light and the Frenchman hit his 30th goal of the campaign at the weekend. He is complemented by the oft-maligned Fernando Torres, who has also been finding the back of the net regularly again recently.

Torres is no stranger to a big goal on the big occasion, scoring a semi-final winner for Chelsea in the Champions League in 2012 and netting the strike that settled the 2008 European Championship final against a Germany defence that included Bayern's Philipp Lahm.

UNFAMILIAR FOES

The Champions League increasingly throws up familiar fixtures in the knockout phases but this is a rare example of a new tie.

Prior to last week's first leg, Atletico and Bayern had only met twice before - in the drawn 1974 European Cup final and its subsequent replay - both at Heysel. Bayern scored a late equaliser in the first game and won the second match 4-0.

Source: PA-WIRE