Bayern Munich are looking nigh unstoppable of late. They lost the German Super Cup to arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund, but haven't lost since then, including a comeback win against Dortmund over the weekend and a 7-1 thrashing of the AS Roma side they're facing on Wednesday in Rome two weeks ago.
Bayern Munich vs. AS Roma, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Time, TV schedule and game preview
Can Roma do anything to avenge the staggering 7-1 loss they took at home two weeks ago?
Roma had started out their group campaign impressively, with a big win over CSKA Moscow and an impressive draw at Manchester City, but the loss they took to Bayern Munich completely changed the tone of their campaign so far. They’re still in second on four points, though another loss could see them fall in the standings, and another heavy loss could cripple them thanks to goal differential. For Bayern, a win doesn’t just put them through to the knockout rounds, it also cements them as the top side in Group E.
Key player - Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich)
Müller scored a goal and grabbed an assist during Bayern’s demotion of Roma two weeks ago, but by and large this season he hasn’t quite been, well, Müller this season. The German star just hasn’t been quite as imperious and assured as normal, but with his form slowly trending upwards of late, perhaps this is the day for him to get fully back to himself. Especially with Roma fielding a heavily depleted back line, Müller should have plenty of opportunity to put on a show.
Key Matchup - Arjen Robben vs. Ashley Cole
Robben has been running rampant of late, and he abused Cole last time these two teams met. The former Chelsea defender has been struggling to adjust to life in Serie A and hasn’t been in the most convincing of form, and unless he figured out how to tap in to his younger days, Robben could have a field day again for Bayern. If Cole can’t at least slow Robben down, it’s going to be a very bad day for Roma’s back line.
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Holger Badstuber (thigh), Javi Martinez (knee), Pepe Reina (calf), Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee), Tom Starke (foot), Thiago Alcantara (knee) In doubt: none
AS Roma injuries and suspensions
Out: Davide Astori (thigh), Leandro Castan (thigh) In doubt: Marco Boriello (thigh), Maicon (knee), Kevin Strootman (knee)
Bayern Munich have a world-class midfield on their injured list, as well as a quality defender and both backup goalkeepers. That they can keep ticking along without them is a testament to the ludicrous depth that Pep Guardiola’s side has built up over the last few years. Roma, though, have been lost defensively without Leandro Castan, and the injury to Astori is only going to make their back line woes all the more complicated. They’ll get a pretty significant boost if Strootman is deemed healthy enough to start, however, as they have desperately missed his presence in midfield.
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
TV: Fox Soccer Plus (U.S. - English), Sky Sport 4/HD (Germany), Canale 5 (Italy)
Online: Fox Soccer 2GO (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany)
See More:
