Bayern Munich will be hoping to record a comfortable victory over Benfica in their Champions League quarterfinal encounter at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola's side were handed what appears to be the most straightforward draw possible at this stage of the competition, and it would take a brilliant performance from their Portuguese visitors to halt Bayern in their tracks.
Bayern Munich vs. Benfica 2016: Start time, TV schedule and team news for Champions League
Bayern Munich are strong favourites against Benfica in their Champions League tie.
However, the hosts certainly can’t afford to let themselves get complacent. Benfica may no longer be the dominant force that they once were, but the two-time European Cup winners are enjoying an excellent season with a talented crop of players. They impressed en route to eliminating Zenit St. Petersburg in the last round, and head into this match having won all but one of their games since Christmas. They’re going to be high on confidence, and could make things more difficult than Bayern may expect.
Key player: Thiago Alcântara (Bayern Munich)
Midfielder Thiago Alcântara is undoubtedly one of the top midfield talents in world football, with his importance to this Bayern team underrated by pundits. He adds a crucial industry and dynamism to their midfield that is sorely missed in his absence. Should he be given a start by Guardiola in this match, he’ll be the man Benfica will want to keep quiet if they’re to cut off the creative supply at source.
Recent history
These sides have met thrice before in European competition, but never in the Champions League. They met for the first time back in the quarterfinals of the 1976 European Champions Clubs’ Cup, when Bayern emerged 5-1 aggregate winners. Five years later they clashed in the same tournament, with the German side winning 4-1 over two legs. Their most recent meeting was over two decades ago, in the third round of the UEFA Cup, when Jurgen Klinsmann scored a remarkable six goals in Bayern’s 7-2 aggregate win. If Benfica want comfort, the history books aren’t the place to look.
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Holger Badstuber (ankle); Jérôme Boateng (groin). In doubt: Medhi Benatia (thigh); Arjen Robben (adductor).
Benfica injuries and suspensions
Out: Luisão (arm); Lisandro López, Júlio César (thigh); Nuno Santos (knee). In doubt: None.
Bayern will be without Badstuber and Boateng, while their defensive counterpart Benatia faces a late fitness test on a thigh injury. Winger Robben is also likely to miss out as he continues to do battle with an adductor injury.
Benfica, meanwhile, will be without veteran defenders Luisão and López, goalkeeper Júlio César, and young winger Santos.
Match date/time: Tues., 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
TV: FOX Sports 2 (U.S. - English); ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish); beIN Sports, TSN5 (Canada); BT Sport 2 (U.K.)
Online: FOX Sports GO, FOX Soccer 2GO (U.S.); beIN Sports Connect (Canada); BT Sport live streaming (U.K.)
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