Bayern Munich’s quarterfinal tie against Porto may well seem like the most routine of all of the draws, but the Portuguese champions could yet make life difficult for the Bavarians in the first leg of their meeting at the Estádio do Dragão on Wednesday. Under coach Julen Lopetegui, they’ve become an extremely well-organised outfit who are fierce in their pressing and frightening in their tempo. Sure, they’re still big underdogs, but don’t write them off just yet.
Porto vs. Bayern Munich, Champions League 2015: Start time, TV schedule and team news
Porto will look to capitalise on Bayern Munich’s injury problems on Wednesday.
Complicating matters further for Bayern is their continued list of injury absences. David Alaba is the latest key first teamer to be sidelined; he joins the likes of Javi Martínez and Arjen Robben in the stands. Then again, such injuries haven’t stopped the Bavarians making it this far in the tournament, nor cruising to an imminent Bundesliga title. They’ll still be very confident of their chances heading in.
Key player - Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich)
Bayern Munich attacker Thomas Müller is less frightening in his explosiveness than his stealth, with his movement across the field rarely picked up by opposition markers. The result is he has a knack of popping up in dangerous areas at just the right moment. Porto will have to find an intelligent plan to deal with him, or this game could be a no-contest.
Key Matchup - Casemiro vs. Bayern’s attacking midfielders
After arriving at Bayern, Guardiola looked to give his Barcelona-style possession-first approach a German twist, with a particular emphasis on the pace and skill of wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry. However, their injuries have forced a slight rethink, and now overloading teams in the centre of the pitch the most dangerous aspect of their play. In this match, Porto’s young midfield anchorman will have to play the game of his life to keep Müller, Mario Götze and company quiet.
Porto injuries and suspensions
Out: Cristian Tello (thigh), Iván Marcano (suspended). In doubt: Jackson Martínez (groin).
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: David Alaba, Javi Martínez (knee), Arjen Robben (abdomen), Franck Ribéry (ankle). In doubt: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Tom Starke (ankle), Medhi Benatia (thigh).
Porto will be without forward Cristian Tello -- a player Guardiola should remember from their time together at Barcelona -- who is sidelined with a thigh injury. The Portuguese side will also be without suspended defender Iván Marcano, while star striker Jackson Martínez will likely miss out again with a groin injury.
Bayern, meanwhile, still have a host of first teamers out. The long-term injured anchorman Javi Martínez is sidelined alongside versatile midfielder David Alaba, and wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry. They’ll at least hope to have playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger and centre-back Medhi Benatia recovered in time.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local
Venue: Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal
TV: Fox Sports 2, Fox Soccer Plus (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sports 5/HD (U.K.), ZDF, Sky Sport 1/HD (Germany)
Online: Watch ESPN, Fox Soccer 2Go, Fox Sports Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K. and Germany)
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