Our prediction for this Champions League match:
After dropping two points in der Klassiker, Bayern Munich will look to return to winning ways when they face Plzen at Doosan Arena. The Bavarians want to keep their 100% record in Group C intact, and they are likely to stick to their attacking style of play. Thomas Muller is a major doubt following his recent positive test for COVID-19, while both Hernandez and Sarr should miss out with injuries.
The hosts, on the other hand, do not seem to be competitive in the “Group of Death”, and seeing that they have been struggling at the back in the Champions League this term, anything but a routine away win would be a major surprise. Midfielder Pavel Bucha is back from suspension, while all Hejda, Reznik, Stanek, and Sykora are out of contention with injuries for the home side.
Highlighted Player (Matthijs de Ligt):
Matthijs de Ligt is yet another product of famous Ajax football academy. After making 17 appearances for Jong Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt started playing for the senior team in 2016. The talented centre-back, who was born on August 12, 1999 in Leiderdorp (Netherlands) made his debut for the Amsterdammers on September 21, 2016 in a cup game against Willem II. Thanks to this goal Matthijs de Ligt became the second youngest goalscorer ever, behind legendary midfielder Clarence Seedorf.
In March, 2017, the Ajax defender made his debut for the Netherlands national team in a 2-0 loss to Bulgaria in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. In 2018 he received AFC Ajax Talent of the Year award (Marco Van Basten Award). Mathiijs de Ligt’s main position is centre-back and his preferred foot is right. His contract with the Amsterdammers should expire on June 30, 2021.
In the 2016/2017 season Matthijs de Ligt and his teammates made it to the Europa League final, but Ajax were beaten by Manchester United in the title game.
Highlighted Team (Bayern Munich):
Over the years Bayern Munich have established themselves as one of the most successful European clubs. The Stern des Sudens (Star of the South) are the dominant force in German football and it has to be noted that the Bavarians clinched their 26th Bundesliga title in 2016. Bayern Munich have won 18 German Cup trophies, while winning the Champions League (European Cup) five times.
The German giants clinched the Intercontinental Cup in 1976 and 2001, while lifting the FIFA Club World Cup trophy in 2013. Bayern Munich was founded in 1900 by eleven football players and their leader was Franz John. The Bavarians host their rivals at Allianz Arena (75,000), the stadium that was built in 2005.
Fellow Bavarian sides TSV 1860 Munchen 1860 and Nurnberg are regarded as Bayern Munich’s fiercest rivals, but the rivalry between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern is big as well. The likes of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Franz Beckenbauer, Lothar Matthaus, Oliver Kahn, Gerd Muller and Giovane Elber are famous footballers who played for Bayern Munich in the past.