Berlin – It’s only been 14 months since FC Bayern had a magical night in Lisbon. On August 23, 2020, Munich won the Champions League in one season for the history books there, but on Wednesday (9 p.m. / DAZN) the Portuguese capital is only a stopover. The final destination of longing is St. Petersburg, and a win at Benfica would be a giant step on the way to the knockout round.
The last impressions of Lisbon are bad for coach Julian Nagelsmann in contrast to most of Bayern’s. “I have memories of a shitty semi-final of ours,” he said, remembering the defeat (3-0) he suffered at the final tournament with RB Leipzig against Paris St. Germain. Otherwise, however, “everyone would be happy to fly back there, we are trying to leave the ground in Lisbon with three points”.
Lucas Hernandez will be able to play in Lisbon
In any case, Lucas Hernandez will step on this floor, who trained in a good mood in Munich on Tuesday after his court hearing in Madrid, which was brought forward to Monday, and who also got on the plane to Lisbon in the afternoon. He had “not found any abnormalities” with the French because of his legal problems, emphasized Nagelsmann and added: “He will definitely play a very good game, he can separate them very well.”
While FC Bayern would march briskly towards the knockout round with a third win in the third game of Group E, VfL Wolfsburg must first find a way out of its earnings crisis in Group G. Before the game on Wednesday (6.45 p.m. / DAZN) at RB Salzburg, the factory club lost three times in a row in the Bundesliga after the recent 2-0 defeat at 1. FC Union Berlin, overall, the ex-champions are waiting for the Champions League included, for six competitive games on a win.
Wolfsburg’s 1-1 draw against Sevilla FC was particularly painful in the premier class. “When I think about it, tears well up in my eyes,” said coach Mark van Bommel. The penalty that resulted in the equalization for Sevilla was unjustified, but goals have to be achieved in order for the turnaround to succeed in Salzburg. After Wout Weghorst fails because of his coronavirus infection, Lukas Nmecha should take care of that.
Bayern also have to change. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will miss Alphonso Davies (thigh) in the 100th Champions League game, and national player Leon Goretzka will not be there because of a cold. Davies should be spared in order to prevent major problems, the same applies, according to Nagelsmann, to Goretzka. Joshua Kimmich’s congenial partner may be represented by newcomer Marcel Sabitzer. “It’s an option,” said Nagelsmann.
Even before his arrival, the record champions spread fear and horror in Lisbon. Less because of the demonstrations of power in the Champions League at FC Barcelona (3-0) and against Dynamo Kiev (5-0) – it was the 5-1 at Bayer Leverkusen that reverberated in Portugal. The FC Bayern, judged the newspaper Record, is a “terrifying colossus”, O Jogo classified it as a “deadly machine”.
Benfica Lisbon has been strong at home so far
At Benfica it will be different, claimed Nagelsmann. “I don’t think there is a team in the Champions League that is afraid of another team,” he said. Benfica with the former Dortmund player Julian Weigl “won’t freeze with fear.” World footballer Robert Lewandowski also warned: “Benfica It’s going to be a difficult game, they are very strong at home. ”With four points, Portugal’s record champions are second in Group E with four points behind the Munich team.
In fact, FC Bayern has been in a class of its own in the premier class for some time now: undefeated in 19 away games, undefeated in 24 group games; of ten duels against Benfica, Munich have won seven and lost none. For Nagelsmann, however, one way or another applies: Get three points, then we’ll have a “very, very good starting point for the first intermediate goal” – on the way to St. Petersburg.