Champions League Preview: Bayern Munich – Girondins de Bordeaux

The business end of things is approaching in the pool stages, and Die Roten are looking to stay in touch for the final two games. Les Girondins, meanwhile, hope to take a giant leap towards the last 16...

Nov 2, 2009 2:45:23 PM

More On :  Bordeaux, FC Bayern München, FC Bayern München vs Bordeaux
Mickael Ciani (Bordeaux vs Bayern)
Kick-Off: Tuesday, November 3, 2009. 20:45 CET
Allianz Arena, Munich

Just In Touch

Louis van Gaal’s new look Bayern Munich side continues to stutter both on the domestic and European front.

After getting off to an encouraging start in the Champions League, easing past the challenge posed by Maccabi Haifa before getting the better of Juventus in a scoreless home draw, the Bundesliga outfit appeared in a healthy state. However, the defeat in France against Bordeaux has raised questions over the side’s ability to progress to the latter stages of the competition.
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Although Bayern took the lead at the Stade Chaban-Delmas through a Michael Ciani own goal, they never looked entirely convincing. By the time Bordeaux had levelled – Ciani making amends at the opposite end of the field – Laurent Blanc’s men were very much in the ascendancy.

Red cards to Thomas Mueller and Daniel Van Buyten only exacerbated the German’s plight and had Bordeaux been rather more clinical from the penalty spot they would surely have eased away and won by a greater margin than simply Marc Planus’ rather fortunate goal just before the break.

There is still much to fight for in Group A, as a home win would likely lift Die Roten back into the top two spots with Maccabi and Juve still to play. Defeat, however, would leave Van Gaal & Co. staring at the possibility of an early exit.

A similar scenario is also in play in the Bundesliga, in which there is obviously a far greater distance to run and there is a little more room for manoeuvre. Yet Bayern have still made an unconvincing start to the season, trailing leaders Bayer Leverkusen by four points and sitting sixth in the table.

Bayern’s latest domestic result was a scoreless stalemate against toiling Stuttgart. It was by no means ideal preparation for a very awkward home fixture against les Girondins, but at least Van Gaal saw that his defence was in good touch.

Table Topping

While Bayern float just behind the leaders in Europe and in the Bundesliga, Bordeaux are pushing the barriers on both fronts. Unbeaten in Champions League play thus far and topping Ligue 1 by a two point margin over Olympique Lyonnais, Laurent Blanc’s men are once against buoyant.

Although free-flowing performances have been somewhat restricted this season, the tenacity of the Garonne outfit has allowed them to continue winning merrily. The 1-0 home win over Maccabi Haifa in this competition is possibly the best example of the determination of the side to succeed. It was a game in which les Girondins looked tired and sluggish, but won thanks to a Ciani goal following a corner kick.

Much has been made of the French champions’ abilities from deadball situations. Bayern coach Van Gaal pointed this out as a particular strength of Ligue 1’s best prior to the first match between the sides, but he watched his unit lose their discipline, gifting the likes of Yoann Gourcuff and Wendel the opportunity to pepper their box with a series of dangerous crosses.

Bordeaux twice found the net from such situations and could even have profited more greatly from their opponents’ tendency to give cheap chances away. Away from home, les Marine et Blanc are likely to spend more time on the back foot, so any chance becomes even more precious. Certainly there can be no repeat of the double penalty miss experienced by Gourcuff and Jussie, who both saw kicks saved by Hans-Joerg Butt in the home match.

Blanc’s side tend to be clinical in front of goal, and coming into this match having defeated Monaco, who were second in Ligue 1, at the weekend, confidence will be high in the French camp, even if they are not quite as imperious on the road as they are on home turf.

Victory on Tuesday carries them into the last 16 of the competition.

FORM

Bayern Munich

DREW 0-0 (a) Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Matchday 11, October 31)

WON 4-0 (a) Eintracht Frankfurt (DFB Pokal, 1/8 final, October 28)

WON 2-1 (h) Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga, Matchday 10, October 24)

LOST 2-1 (a) Girondins de Bordeaux (Champions League, Matchday 3, October 21)

WON 2-1 (a) Freiburg (Bundesliga, Matchday 9, October 17)

Bordeaux

WON 1-0 (h) Monaco (Ligue 1, Matchday 11, October 31)

WON 3-0 (h) Le Mans (Ligue 1, Matchday 10, October 24)

WON 2-1 (h) Bayern Munich (Champions League, Matchday 3, October 21)

LOST 1-0 (a) Auxerre (Ligue 1, Matchday 9, October 17)

LOST 3-1 (a) Saint-Etienne (Ligue 1, Matchday 8, October 3)

TEAM NEWS

Bayern Munich

A menagerie of injury problems currently linger over the German outfit. Most pressing are the blows to Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, who have both been sidelined due to knee issues, though the latter may well return in time for Tuesday’s fixture. Fellow attacker Ivica Olic is battling a calf problem and will miss out.

There are issues in other areas of the field too. Breno has been struggling due to illness while Daniel Van Buyten was withdrawn early at the weekend because of a foot issue.

The Belgian is suspended in any case after picking up a red card when the teams first met. In addition, burgeoning young prospect Thomas Mueller is also missing.

Edson Braafheid returned to the side at the weekend and should start at left-back.

Probable Starting XI: Butt; Lahm, Demichelis, Badstuber, Braafheid; Tymoshchuk, Van Bommel, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Klose, Toni

Bordeaux

Laurent Blanc remains in the happy position of only having one selection issue for this game. Henrique continues to miss out due to injury.

A 20-man squad has been named to travel to Munich, with all the familiar faces involved, as well as youngsters Gregory Sertic and Henri Saivet.

Probable Starting XI: Carrasso; Chalme, Ciani, Planus, Tremoulinas; Diarra, Fernando; Plasil, Gourcuff, Wendel; Chamakh

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bayern Munich

Louis van Gaal’s side were almost totally devoid of any offensive flair or creativity in the first meeting between these sides. Of course, they were also shorn of exciting attacking midfielder Arjen Robben, who may well be fit to give the Bordeaux defence the workout they did not face at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. If he can hit form, he can be an utterly destructive force. A definite match-winner.

Bordeaux

Alou Diarra was something of a flop at Bayern Munich. His infamy stretched to such an extent that Uli Hoeness, director of the German outfit, stated that it was “one of the wonders of the world” that the holding midfielder had risen to such a lofty status in the game. Bordeaux’s captain and main driver in the engine-room will be aiming to draw from this back-handed compliment and lead his side to success with a gritty central showing. He is also a very real threat from free kicks because of his height and physique.

PREDICTION

Bayern’s form remains patchy, while Bordeaux are obstinate opponents, even on the road, where they do not win so frequently. Injuries and suspension certainly hinder the hosts, and if the Frenchmen can keep Robben quiet, they could well come away from Germany with a point.

Bayern Munich 1-1 Girondins de Bordeaux

Robin Bairner, Goal.com
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