In midweek, Barcelona will face Bayern Munich in a vital match. It is a must-win game for the Catalans if they are to keep their dreams of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.
More than qualification, the game versus Bayern is a matter of prestige for Barcelona, who have a dismal record in Europe against the Bavarians.
However, Barcelona has been given a minor advantage heading into this game, since three of Bayern’s important players have been ruled out, according to Kicker.
Manuel Neuer is on the list, but he is not anticipated to return until the game against Mainz owing to shoulder difficulties. The club captain had just missed the game against TSG Hoffenheim. Sven Ulreich is scheduled to fill in for Neuer, who is injured.
Leroy Sane has also been ruled out. The German international has recently been sidelined by a thigh injury and is not likely to return until the Inter Milan encounter on matchday 6 of the Champions League group stages.
Sane’s ongoing absence may force Julian Nagelsmann to appear reliant on the services of Jamal Musiala and Thomas Muller in terms of Bayern’s creative unit.
Lucas Hernandez, on the other hand, could be the most notable absentee. The Frenchman has a strain that he picked up in the win over SC Freiburg. He has been ruled out of the game against Barcelona, which will severely limit Bayern’s defensive stability.
Hernandez is regarded as Bayern Munich’s greatest defender, and with Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt still establishing themselves at their new teams, Bayern may struggle to control Robert Lewandowski this midweek.
Bayern Munich sweep past Hoffenheim
Jamal Musiala and Eric Maxim scored in the first half. Bayern Munich needed just one goal from Choupo-Moting to beat Hoffenheim 2-0 on Saturday.
The Bavarians took all three points despite not being at their best, putting pressure on Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin, who face Bochum on Sunday.
That’s because Hoffenheim showed no opposition, with Jamal Musiala putting the visitors ahead after 18 minutes after being entirely unmarked at the far post.
Choupo-Moting made it three games in a row with a goal, extending Bayern’s lead in the 38th minute after blasting past Oliver Baumann from a tight angle.
