Our prediction for this Champions League match:
After rolling over Southampton in the Premier League round 30, Man City will look to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, first leg. The Citizens are on an eight-game winning run in all competitions, and, no doubt, they will continue relying on Norway superstar Erling Haaland, who scored a brace at the weekend. Phil Foden remains in the recovery room, while both Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker are pushing for recalls to the starting XI.
The Bavarians, on the other hand, set up a meeting with Pep Guardiola’s troops by beating star-studded PSG in the two-legged tie. Since Bayern Munich look sharp in front of goal, we believe that there is a big value in betting on over 2.5 goals. Defender Dayot Upamecano is back from the domestic ban, while all Erix Maxim Choupo-Moting, Lucas Hernandez, and Manuel Neuer miss out with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Ilkay Gundogan):
Ilkay Gundogan is a German footballer of Turkish origin who made a name for himself playing for Borussia Dortmund. The skilful midfielder began his professional career at VFL Bochum, but it was at Nurnberg that he was given the opportunity to prove his undoubted potential. He needed just two years to make Germany’s top clubs stand up and take notice and the Millionaires secured his signature for mere €4 million.
That would prove to be a great investment as Gundogan quickly slotted straight into the starting line-up and became a playmaker in the side led by Jurgen Klopp and later Thomas Tuchel. The midfield maestro kept being linked with clubs like Manchester United, Barcelona and Arsenal, but he resisted temptation to leave Borussia Dortmund, winning one Bundesliga trophy with the club and making it to the Champions League final.
Gundogan unfortunately missed the 2014 World Cup finals through injury, but there is still time for the BVB star to make things right and lift a major international trophy with Germany.
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.