Bayern Munich Press Conference - UEFA Champions League
Photo by UEFA - Handout/UEFA via Getty Images
The Champions League literally JUST restarted, and it’s almost over. Such is the post-covid era, I suppose. Bayern Munich emerged from quarantine much like how the Doomguy awoke from his slumber in DOOM 2016 — appropriately enraged and ready to crush all enemies into a fine red paste.


Many weeks of ripping and tearing later, European football has been suitably chastised by the great red giant, with only two games remaining in the season. Hansi Flick and his men will be eyeing the final of the Champions League — Bayern’s first since 2013. However they must first make it past a young and determined Lyon side at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.

Team news
Despite finishing 7th in Ligue 1, Olympique Lyonnais deserve the moniker of giant-killers this season. They’ve knocked out both Juventus and Manchester City, both early favorites for the title, so no one can doubt their place in the semifinals. Bayern, therefore, have no room to take it easy on them.

Hansi Flick won’t make the same mistake Pep Guardiola did and change his tactics. Instead, he will choose to meet Rudi Garcia’s men head on. That means starting Robert Lewandowski up top, with Thomas Muller supporting him from the second striker position.

Ivan Perisic has done well so far since the UCL restart, so he may get the nod over Kingsley Coman. This is one of the two choices Hansi Flick will have to make for the game, and arguably the easier decision to make. Regardless of which player starts, the other can be subbed on with ease.

Meanwhile, Serge Gnabry will likely start on the right flank. While Philippe Coutinho scored twice and assisted once in his short cameo against Barcelona, the Brazilian is still expected to start from the bench. Let’s hope he’s ready for another explosive substitute appearance.

The midfield is where things get complicated. With Benjamin Pavard returning to team training, Hansi Flick could decide to return him to the lineup and move Joshua Kimmich back to the center. This would certainly improve Bayern defensively, but could compromise the functioning midfield pairing of Thiago Alcantara and Leon Goretzka. As seen against City, Lyon have a formidable midfield — Houssem Aouar, Maxcence Caqueret, and Bruno Guimares are more than capable of giving Bayern a hard time in the center of the park. On the other hand, Hansi needs to be wary of counterattacks down the right hand side — Pavard would help immensely in dealing with those.


In the end, Flick seems like the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” kind of guy. Taking Pep’s warning to heart, he will probably choose the same midfield pairing that he chose against Barcelona. Benjamin Pavard will most likely be subbed on around the 60th minute.

Finally, in defense — following on from the previous section, expect Joshua Kimmich to start at right-back, and zero changes from the Barca game. Alphonso Davies will probably start in his usual position at left-back, and David Alaba and Jerome Boateng will pair up in central defense. Manuel Neuer, as always, will be in goal.

With that out of the way, here’s how we think Bayern Munich will line up against Lyon in the Champions League:


Other lineup options:

Benjamin Pavard at right-back, with Joshua Kimmich in midfield. Thiago or Goretzka on the bench.
Kingsley Coman instead of Ivan Perisic on the left wing.
Niklas Sule instead of Jerome Boateng at center back.
Update
Hansi Flick confirms that Pavard won’t start, confirming that Kimmich will be at RB.

Fight go de here

Mancity need to beat Lyon first

Na who go meet PSG?

I feel sorry for Bayern already.
Can they withstand the firepower of a rampaging Lyon side??

Fvcking Bayern Munich I hope they loose!!
I Stan with Lyon

Buyer Munich na Evil club. They will beat Lyon 10 : 0. FIFA shul check dem for drugs Intelligent Dispensers are still on sale. Buy yours now

Just Thinking. Imagine Lyon flogging Bayern, anything is possible

One thing is sure, bayern will spell lyon.


Guardiola was wise to avoid them because u can insult him now for not getting to the semis,but u can never take away the fact that Bayern's win against barca will be remembered for a very long time as the highest margin match in a single leg game at the knockout stages. It's better to lose against a small team than to be humiliated in front of the world.



Guardiola will still remain at the club, but barca will never be the same again.

Lyon to win. 2-1

Thank me later.

Lyon go surprise all of us tonight

Lyon might surprise us all

Expect the unexpected

Bayern vs PSG match is what I am looking forward to

Una go shock this night.

Juventus vs Lyon (Lyon won against all big odds)

Man City vs Lyon (Everybody said Man city will destroy Lyon and they were all talking about Bayern vs Man city semi final. Where is Man city now?)

E go shock una.

All French Final

The game won't be that easy for Bayern even though I 8-2 see them not thrashing Lyon today

Hofbrauhaus:
Lyon to win. 2-1

Thank me later.

8 2 tell u ur dreaming

Bayern for the trophy ����

Chelsea will surly win

Op and too many epistles sef.



Bayern to win both halves.
It's now turned to a custom, whichever team that relegate Barcelona from uefa champions league is likely to lift the trophy.

I predict 3:1 against lyon

So undecided champions league wan turn to EPL overnight.

This match is over 4.5

All French finals

Bunnatex:
Expect the unexpected

There Notin more than Bayern doing wot Dey do Dey do to their victims.

Openbusiness:
8 2 tell u ur dreaming

Is it by beating an out of form Barca 8-2.? I've told you. Even if it's 1k, play it. Thank me later

geolabious:
Just Thinking. Imagine Lyon flogging Bayern, anything is possible

That one is surely not possible.