If Bayern Munich can find a way to beat Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday, they would have almost ensured themselves a spot in the knockout round of the Champions League.
After three games in Group C, the champions of the Czech Republic do not have a single point to their name since they have been outscored by their opponents 12 to 1.
Match Preview: Viktoria Plzen vs Bayern Munich
Jan Sykora’s goal against Barcelona on matchday 1 is Plzen’s lone bright moment in the Champions League so far, but they wouldn’t have anticipated much having been drawn with Bayern, Barca, and Inter Milan.
It’s been four years since they finished third in Europe’s premier tournament with seven points.
After winning their first championship in four years in Michel Bilek’s first season in command, the 57-year-old would have hoped for a fairer draw to offer his team a chance of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in the club’s history.
Plzen has a four-point lead in the Czech First League with a game in hand, so they may try again next season while still aiming to make an impression this year.
Bilek will want a more competitive effort from his team at home than in last week’s 5-0 loss to Bayern. Fans inside the Doosan Arena are dreaming of one of the competition’s biggest surprises on Wednesday.
Bayern has won their first three Champions League games without surrendering a goal.
Leroy Sane scored twice against Plzen last week and once against Dortmund this weekend.
The Bavarians sacrificed points again as BVB recovered from two goals down to win a draw against their possible championship rivals. Both clubs are now four points behind Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin.
Bayern’s European domination contrasts with their league struggles. If Barcelona loses to Inter at Camp Nou and Bayern beats Plzen as predicted, they’ll advance with two matches to spare.
In truth, the work is probably done if they avoid a shocking setback on their travels this week. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann will be more focused on improving his team’s league form before the knockout phases begin in February.
Team News: Viktoria Plzen vs Bayern Munich
Following his ejection during Plzen’s 2-0 loss at home to Inter, Pavel Bucha was given a suspension that would keep him out of action for two more European matches. As a result, Plzen will continue to play without Bucha.
Even though Peter Pejsa is still unable to play due to an injury to his cruciate ligament, Vaclav Jemelka may be brought into the team to attempt to keep things tighter at the back.
As a result of injuries sustained by Matthijs de Ligt, Lucas Hernandez, Alphonso Davies, and Bouna Sarr, Bayern will be without several players when they go to Plzen. This will leave Nagelsmann with an extremely limited number of defensive alternatives.
It is possible that Benjamin Pavard may be required to go inside to partner with Dayot Upamecano at center defense. Joshua Kimmich will move back to his previous position of right back, while Noussair Mazraoui will switch across to play left back.
Because Serge Gnabry is questionable to play because of an injury and Jamal Musiala tested positive for COVID-19 after his team’s 2-2 draw against Dortmund on Saturday, Eric Choupo-Moting may be replaced by Sane, Sadio Mane, or Thomas Muller.
- Viktoria Plzen Possible Starting Lineup: Chory Kopic, Havel, Kalvach, Vlkanova, Jemelka, Hejda, Mosquera, Holik, Tvrdon, N’Diaye.
- Bayern Munich Possible Starting Lineup: Kimmich, Sane, Sabitzer, Muller, Pavard, Goretzka, Mazraoui, Mane, Upamecano, Choupo-Moting Neuer.
Our Prediction: Viktoria Plzen 0-3 Bayern Munich
The defensive injuries that Bayern have sustained might give the home team a ray of hope in terms of pulling off an upset, but we anticipate that Bayern will make a significant step toward securing their spot in the knockout rounds of the competition by claiming victory.
Even if they are lacking in numbers at the moment, the Bavarians still boast a significant amount of offensive firepower, and Plzen had a difficult time coping with this factor in the previous week.