Bayern Munich are still unbeaten in competitive matches under Pep Guardiola and should maintain their impressive start at home to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday. The Bavarians are expected to start their defence of the Champions League with a victory at home to the Russian champions, even though CSKA are currently top of the Russian Premier League after an impressive start.
Bayern Munich vs. CSKA Moscow: Preview and TV schedule
Reigning champions Bayern Munich start their Champions League defence at home to CSKA Moscow.
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CSKA Moscow boast some excellent talent, including Russian international goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, highly sought-after Japanese international Keisuke Honda and young playmaker Alan Dzagoev. However, it’d still be surprising if they manage to come away from the Allianz Arena with any points against a team who can claim to be the strongest in the world at the moment.
Having said that, the visitors will take heart from the lengthy injury list coach Guardiola has to deal with. Three starting midfielders -- Javi Martínez, Thiago Alcántara and Mario Götze -- are all out injured, and could be joined on the sidelines by Bastian Schweinsteiger unless he recovers from an ankle injury. CSKA have midfielder Rasmus Elm in doubt with a calf problem, while striker Seydou Doumbia could return from a thigh issue.
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Javi Martínez (groin), Thiago Alcántara (ankle), Mario Götze (ankle), Holger Badstuber (knee), Jan Kirchhoff (groin). In doubt: Bastian Schweinsteiger (ankle).
CSKA Moscow injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Rasmus Elm (calf), Seydou Doumbia (thigh).
Projected lineups
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer; David Alaba, Daniel van Buyten, Jerome Boateng, Rafinha; Phillip Lahm; Franck Ribéry, Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller, Arjen Robben; Mario Mandžukić
CSKA Moscow: Igor Akinfeev; Georgi Schennikov, Sergei Ignashevich, Vasili Berezutski, Kirill Nababkin; Keisuke Honda, Pontus Wernbloom; Zoran Tošić, Alan Dzagoev, Vitinho; Ahmed Musa
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
TV: Fox Sports Net (U.S.), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sport 1/2/HD (Germany), NTV+ Football (Russia)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Online (Canada), Sky Go (Germany), NTV+ Sport Online (Russia)
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