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City still have a chance

Although the English have not won a game in four rounds, they still have a realistic shot at getting to the next stage. Some options allow that even with a point from this match, but a lot would have to fall in place for that

Through their terrible performances, Manchester City dropped almost all their points in their first four games in Group E, and are chasing their last option to keep their chances of advancing to the final stage alive.

Their opponent are Bayern, who secured both advancement and the top spot in the group with four victories, but the English champions are aware they'll have to perform much better than they have so far in order to win three points, without which they may as well give up.


The team based at Etihad like to remember how they beat the German giant 2-0 three years ago in this venue, and 3-2 in Munchen last season. They held on till the last minute this season as well, but then Boateng brought them sorrow, however Manuel Pellegrini's team are rather far from the form and performance of their glory days.


Bayern might not charge in at full throttle as they have plenty of absent players too, but City will hardly make it without playing their best game. Bayern have lost only one match all season long, their first, against Borussia Dortmund in the German Supercup on August 13, and have scored 15 victories and 3 draws since.


- Bayern have never taken their Champions League games lightly. Great teams never relax, they always live up to their obligations and look for a victory. We will see a well playing Bayern on the pitch- said Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini. He is having serious issues with absences, as the injury list contains forward Džeko, midfielder David Silva and defender Kolarov, while two of his defensive midfielders, Yaya Toure and Fernandinho, are out due to cards. When you put that together it's hard to find that many replacements.


- We're missing three very important players, but we have a team. We know we have to beat Bayern, showing character and being aggressive from the start is how we can do it, as winning this match is our last chance to get through to the next stage- pointed out Pellegrini, who may have figured out how to play, but now needs to put it in action, which is always the more difficult part. However, they can get derive some confidence from the comeback against Swansea in the league game on Saturday, and the good shape of two key offense players in the coming game, Premiership's best scorer Agüero, and Jovetić.


- We need to get possession back as soon as we possibly can once we lose it, and play hard pressing defense, although that will not be easy against the quality players Bayern have. We have to wear them down to prevent them from pushing counterattacks. We're in a tough spot but I have faith in my players and I'm sure we'll rise up to the occasion. It will be a big step back for us if we fail to get through, but I'm staying positive. We have not given up on the Champions League nor the Premiership- concluded Manuel Pellegrini.


Bayern have already secured the top spot in the group, but are still looking to continue their successful series in England. After they lost the Supercup match at the start of the season they've had nothing but success. The fact their combined scoring ratio in the national and Champions league is 42-4 probably speaks for itself.


-Motive is very important in football and I'd guess City have a slight advantage there, as the outcome of this match is much more important to them than to us. However, we need to find a reason to give it our best, we're defending the honor and respect of our club- said coach Guardiola.


If it were any other team we'd say its possible, and even expected, for them to relax a bit, but it's highly unlikely for the Germans to do so, we already mentioned their score this season.


They also managed all that with a lot of players missing. Some have been injured almost since the season started, the last on the injury list are Lahm and Alaba. They have replacements for them, even some very good ones. The announced starting 11 might see some changes, primarily at the center back position, as Boateng is not fully fit yet so Dante might start instead.


Whomever steps out to the pitch, their defense usually does the job right.Offense? Ribéry, Götze, Müller, Robben; Lewandowski... They seem almost unstoppable this season, Bayern are averaging 2.5 goals per game.