Frank Lampard’s men travel to Germany hoping to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Bayern Munich. The Blues had been subject to a rather humiliating three-goal loss against the Bundesliga giants back in February, and too at home turf.
Chelsea FC will take the pitch at the Allianz Arena barely a week after their 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Arsenal in the final of the FA Cup. Despite taking an early lead through in-form Christian Pulisic, Frank Lampard’s side had fallen behind in the later stages of the game with a heroic showing from the Gunners skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon international bagged a brace against the Blues last weekend helping his side clinch the prestigious cup competition. The game was, however, in the news for all the wrong reasons, having seen referee Anthony Taylor dish out several wrong decisions against Chelsea FC.
Regardless, Frank Lampard’s side will be focused on staging a miraculous comeback against the German giants come Saturday night. However, the Blues will be aware of the dangers Hansi Flick’s Bayern side presents every time they take the pitch.
The German giants have been a force to reckon with over the past season. Having already got their hands on the domestic double of Bundesliga and DFB Pokal, Champions League winning glory would mean that Flick’s men will complete a historic treble, a possible second in seven years.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Saturday 8th August
Time: 8 PM GMT
Venue: Allianz Arena
TEAM NEWS
Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick has indicated the strong possibility of French international Kingsley Coman not being fit enough to face the Blues on Saturday. The 24-year old is currently recovering from a muscular problem.
Fellow Frenchman Benjamin Pavard is also sidelined for the upcoming game and will be replaced by Joshua Kimmich in the right-back spot for the German giants.
As for the Blues, injury troubles have been on a rise following last weekend’s game against the Gunners. Christian Pulisic, Pedro, and club captain Cesar Azpilicueta were all taken off the pitch in the defeat to Arsenal, and all three players have been confirmed to be absentees against Bayern Munich.
Marcos Alonso and Jorginho will miss the upcoming fixture having been hit with a one-game suspension. The latter had received a third yellow card of the Blues’ European campaign in the previous game, ruling him out of the second legged fixture.
Frank Lampard is highly unlikely to give a start to Chelsea FC outcast Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal on Saturday. 38-year old Willy Cabellero is certain to continue his recent outings between the sticks for the Blues in place of the Spanish shot-stopper.
RECENT FORM
Bayern Munich FC: W W W W W
Chelsea FC: L W L W W
BAYERN MUNICH FC VS CHELSEA FC PREDICTED LINEUP
Bayern Munich FC: Neuer; Kimmich, Jerome Boateng, Alaba, Alphonso Davies; Leon Goretzka, Thiago; Gnabry, Muller, Ivan Perisic; Robert Lewandowski
Chelsea FC: Caballero; Kurt Zouma, Christensen, Rudiger; Reece James, Barkley, Kovacic, Emerson; Mason Mount, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi
