Bayern Munich vs Dinamo Zagreb: Champions League Clash Preview
Champions League

Bayern Munich vs Dinamo Zagreb: Champions League Clash Preview

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Bayern Munich kicks off their 17th consecutive campaign in the UEFA Champions League by hosting Dinamo Zagreb at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening. The six-time European champions, who lost their Bundesliga title last season, have started this term strongly. Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb has reclaimed the top spot in the Croatian league and aims to make an impact in Europe.

Bayern Munich’s Champions League Legacy

Bayern Munich vs Dinamo Zagreb is a matchup steeped in history, as Bayern stands as a powerhouse in UEFA’s elite competition. They have made 17 consecutive group-stage appearances, qualifying for the knockout rounds each time. The Bavarians boast an impressive record, remaining unbeaten in their last 40 group matches. They have won 36 of those matches, including a record-setting 17 consecutive wins, before drawing with Copenhagen last season.

After finishing atop their group, Bayern advanced past Lazio and Arsenal in the knockout stages. This set up a high-stakes semi-final clash with Real Madrid. Despite coming close to reaching another final, they fell short when the Spanish giants scored two late goals in the second leg. This defeat added to the woes of former manager Thomas Tuchel, who left the club in the summer.

A New Era Under Vincent Kompany

The ex-Chelsea manager could not secure a 12th consecutive Bundesliga title for Bayern. They finished third behind Bayer Leverkusen and surprise package Stuttgart. Following their lowest league finish since 2011, Bayern appointed Vincent Kompany, a relatively inexperienced coach, to rejuvenate an ageing squad. Under his guidance, the team has enjoyed a resurgence, winning four straight matches across all competitions.

In their most recent outing, Bayern delivered a stunning performance, thrashing Holstein Kiel 6-1. Jamal Musiala opened the scoring just 14 seconds into the match. Harry Kane, fresh off reaching 100 caps for England, netted a hat-trick, showcasing his clinical finishing and ability to influence the game.

Dinamo Zagreb’s Champions League Journey

Dinamo Zagreb has faced Bayern Munich twice in the Champions League, with both encounters occurring in 2015. Pep Guardiola’s side won both matches, with Robert Lewandowski scoring five goals across those fixtures. Despite their domestic dominance, Dinamo is making only their third appearance in the Champions League group stage in eight years. They finished last in each of their previous seven attempts.

Now, the Croatian club is set to tackle UEFA’s revamped league phase after claiming a record-extending 25th HNL title last season, marking their seventh consecutive league triumph. They also secured the domestic cup, completing a 13th domestic double.

Last season, Dinamo finished second in their Europa Conference League group. They defeated Real Betis in the knockout playoffs before reaching the last 16. However, they were eliminated by PAOK after winning 2-0 at home and then losing 5-1 away.

Strong Start to the Current Campaign

Dinamo Zagreb began their current Champions League campaign in the playoffs, where they comfortably dispatched Qarabag with a 5-0 aggregate victory. This success extended their unbeaten streak across all competitions. However, a recent setback occurred when they lost to arch-rivals Hajduk Split, which saw them slip from the top of the Croatian league table after a remarkable run of 23 league matches without a loss.

Team News Ahead of the Clash

Bayern Munich’s head coach Vincent Kompany expects to have a full squad available for the midweek clash. Leroy Sane returned to the matchday squad for the first time this season. The only absentees are Josip Stanisic (knee), Tarek Buchmann (thigh), and summer signing Hiroki Ito (foot).

In the attacking third, Sane, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, Mathys Tel, and Michael Olise are all vying for starting positions. Jamal Musiala is likely to play a pivotal role in support of Harry Kane, who scored his 40th goal in just 35 Bundesliga appearances at the weekend, marking his fifth hat-trick for the club.

On the other hand, Dinamo Zagreb’s coach Sergej Jakirovic may opt for tactical changes following the defeat in Croatia’s ‘eternal derby.’ Sandro Kulenovic, who impressed as a substitute, could be included in the starting XI. The 24-year-old forward has netted five goals in six league appearances this season.

Predicted Lineups

Bayern Munich Possible Starting XI:

  • Neuer; Kimmich, Kim, Upamecano, Guerreiro; Pavlovic, Palhinha; Coman, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane

Dinamo Zagreb Possible Starting XI:

  • Nevisitic; Ristovski, Theophile-Catherine, Mmaee, Pierre-Gabriel; Ademi, Sucic; Cordoba, Baturina, Pjaca; Petkovic

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