UEFA Champions League: Bayern Munich will clash swords against Austrian champions RB Salzburg in the Champions League round of 16 clash at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday. Before the knockout ties, former Manchester City defender and football pundit Terry Phelan has completely back the German giants to win the tie comfortably despite the recent results that have gone against the Bavarians in the Bundesliga. Follow all the football LIVE Updates only on InsideSport.IN
Julian Nagelsmann’s men lost the plot completely as they lost 4-2 to Thomas Reis’ Bochum in the Bundesliga. Robert Lewandowski struck first on the ninth minute and it looked like another routine fixture for the record champions. But things changed drastically when Ghanaian forward Christopher Antwi-Adjei, brought Bochum back into the game.
The start of a #UCL week ⚽#SALFCB #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/eFzyOkP3Aa
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) February 14, 2022
Thomas Reis’ men took the lead when Dutch forward Jurgen Locadia scored from the spot. A quick break caught Bayern defenders off guard as the ball ended up touching Dayot Upamecano’s hand inside the penalty area and resulted in a spot-kick. After that, all hell broke loose as defender Christian Gamboa also registered his name into the scoresheet. Four minutes later winger Gerrit Holtmann also joined the party and took the game away from Bayern’s reach within the first half. Lewandowski added another in the second half but it was mere consolation.
While there are some tension in and around the club over the defensive frailties of the club and also on their upcoming important matches in the Bundesliga and also in the Champions League. Some people even feel that RB Salzburg’s quick transition counter-attacking team can cause Bayern a lot of problems.
Former Northern Ireland international Terry Phelan admitted their defensive weaknesses in online interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network. But he also highlighted how strong the Bavarians are with excellent players all over the park especially in midfield and attack.
“It was a shocking result against Bochum but listen you always get a result like that against teams whom you are up against every now and again. I agree they have got frailties in the backline we do know that. But coming to their midfielders and forwards, they do have excellent players. There is a different array of talent in there. They do concede goals but they also win matches,” Phelan pointed out ahead of the Salzburg game.
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The 54-year-old also believes that Julan Nagelsmann’s team are too good to falter at such a big stage of the Champions League. Therefore he was pretty sure that Bayern were going to win the tie pretty comfortably.
“The thing with Bayern Munich is that if they concede two goals, they are likely to score three of four. I think it was one of those games that probably did not go right for them. They had a lot of chances but nobody was able to put the ball on the back of the net. But i think the Champions League is a little bit different. I personally don’t see them struggling in the Champions League against Salzburg. I think they can go out there and win this game comfortably,” he continued.
Phelan feels that the loss against Bochum was a one-off circumstance and probably a kick at their backs to wake the team up ahead of the Champions League. Overall he believes that seasoned players have that character to shrug off defats and strive for more.
“That’s probably the part of the truth especially the players that they have got. It (loss against Bochum) was probably a kick on their back at the weekend to wake up. But the players know what it is to be like in the Champions League knockouts, they have been there, done that before. So I am pretty sure they will be firing in all cylinders in this match. I don’t see them having any problem whatsoever,” the former Manchester City man opined.
However, another talking point from the Bochum defeat was the form of Dayot Upamecano. While it is too early to come to conclusion on the young Frenchman, he has done enough mistakes to raise concerns. People are already in a fix as to whether he is the future for Bayern or not and his inconsistent display this season has simply not allowed that calmness and stability in defence.
The situation adds up with the problem of their other primary centre back, Niklas Sule leaving the club and joining Borussia Dortmund in a free transfer at the end of this season. So that leave Julian Nagelsmann with very limited and inexperienced options.
Speaking about the defensive woes at Bayern, Phelan added, “It does not look good honestly because when you bring in players you expect them to settle in straight away. That has not happened in this case. But if you ask me they still look like a fantastic side. If you look at him going from strength to strength through the middle to the final third. They are bound to make a few mistakes here and there and I am sure the manager will address that.”
He assures that Bayern may go around looking to bring in some defensive reinforcement. But also shared his thoughts on what can be done with someone like a Upamecano, who has not been able to provide that assurance at the back.
“They are going to miss a few players, some players will leave the club after this season. But I am sure they will bring someone in looking at their requirements. When you look around the world for top centre backs, there are not many present currently. So picking the right player for the right philosophy is important. I think Bayern will do that, they will get someone for sure. But individual mistakes are a thing that you can legislate, it happens in world football. However, if it keeps happening then you need to keep looking at the player, probably sit him down, give him a rest, teach him a lesson and also get the analysts around and check why the mistakes are happening. Mistakes against small teams can still be overlooked but you can’t do that in the Champions League,” he concluded.
Telecast
Watch UEFA Champions League 2021-22 (Round 16 – 1st Leg): Paris vs Real Madrid – LIVE on SONY TEN 2 (English), SONY TEN 3 (Hindi) & SONY TEN 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels on February 16, 2022, from 1:30 am IST.
Watch UEFA Champions League 2021-22 (Round 16 – 1st Leg): Sporting CP vs Man City – LIVE on SONY TEN 1 (English) channels on February 16, 2022, from 1:30 am IST.
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