Our prediction for this Champions League match:
All eyes will be on Parc des Princes when PSG and Bayern Munich face each other in the Champions League last 16, first leg. Les Parisiens suffered a 3-1 loss to Monaco at the weekend, but it has to be noted that Lionel Messi was rested in Saturday’s clash. The Argentina superstar should be fit for the Champions League showdown, while Kylian Mbappe is a major doubt. The good news for the hosts is that defender Presnel Kimpembe has overcome his injury.
The mighty Bavarians, on the other hand, faced no difficulties in a 3-0 win over Bochum, but keep in mind that key attacker Sadio Mane remains in the recovery room, alongside Theo Hernandez and Manuel Neuer. Thomas Muller is rated doubtful for the match, as well as Ryan Gravenberch. Anyhow, given the attacking potentials of the two sides, both teams to score betting option should be considered.
Highlighted Player (Lionel Messi):
Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the best players in the history of football. He was born on 24 June, 1987 in Rosario and he began his football career at Newell’s Old Boys. At age 10 he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, but having realized his potential at a young age, Barcelona decided to pay for his treatment.
Messi joined Barca in 2001 and he has been playing for the Camp Nou outfit ever since. The Argentine magician has won eight La Liga trophies with Barca and he helped the Catalan giants lift no less than four Champions League titles (2005/2006, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2014/2015).
In the 2011/2012 La Liga campaign Messi scored 50 goals for Barca, while netting 14 goals in the 2011/2012 Champions League campaign. The five-time Golden Ball award winner has established himself as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, but he has yet to win a trophy with Argentina national team at major tournaments. Leo Messi, though, has won Olympic Gold Medal (2008) and FIFA World Youth Championship (2005), with la Albiceleste.
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.