Bayern Munich vs As Roma

Group E action is underway as Roma travels to Allianz Arena to take on the mighty Bavarians of Bayern Munich. Group E consists of Bayern, Roma, Basel and Cluj so winning out is not necessarily a given. Roma is coming off a 5-1 league loss while Bayern will not easily forget their loss to the other Italian powerhouse, Inter Milan in last year’s Champions League Final.

Bayern Munich:

Bayern Munich has virtual the same squad as the team from last year’s Champions League Runners up. Manager Louis van Gaal did well not to lose his star players during the threatening off-season. Of those, Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben will miss the match due to a suspension and a hamstring respectively. Ribery is serving the last of his three-match suspension for being sent off in last season’s semifinal. Thomas Mueller, on the other hand, made more than a name for himself during Germany’s impressive run in the World Cup and has made it clear that there are plenty of players anxious to play in Ribery’s stead. Bayern is packed with some of Germany’s best players and they rarely fail to produce. Bastian Schweinsteiger, captain Philipp Lahm, Mario Gómez, and Miroslav Klose are all stars for both club and country. Van Gaal will likely choose either Olic and Gomez to start as his center forward.


AS Roma:

The 2009/2010 Serie A runners up, I Giallorossi (yellow-reds), are coming off a hefty 5-1 defeat at Cagliari over the weekend, but should not be counted out of Wednesday’s fixture. Capitano Francesco Totti is not worried about their recent loss and believes Roma can compete for the title. The new arrivals of Adriano and Marco Borriello have hopefully put the sails in the wings of Roma players and supporters. Claudio Ranieri’s biggest problem as of late is the growing list of injuries. Midfielder Rodrigo Taddei injured his right calf and has been declared unfit. Mirko Vucinic, Stefano Okaka, Philippe Mexes, John Riise, and Paolo Castellini will all miss out against Bayern through various injuries. Menes, Borriello, and Totti should lead the attack while Adriano is not quite up to form.

Prediction:

Bayern Munich and Roma have to be the favorites to advance out of the group into the Round of 16. The winner of this match has a big advantage as they should be well on their way past the Group Stages. After a solid campaign in last year’s Champions League, Bayern wins through experience. Let’s not forget how well they play at home. Roma will do well and be happy to draw in Allianz Arena and will look to their strikers to do just that.

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