Allen Hamilton
What: Champions League Playoff Round (first leg)
Who: Bayern Munich v FC Zurich
When: Wednesday 17th August, 2011, at 19:45 UK time
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Routine Progression Needs Aggression
Last season Bayern Munich battled hard to avoid the ignominy of missing out on Champions League football, but the German giants will still have to overcome the hurdle of FC Zurich. For some at the Allianz Arena the draw was greeted as kind, with Bayern tipped simply to overwhelm their lesser known Swiss counterparts. But then the opening day of the Bundesliga season yielded a home defeat by lowly Borussia Monchengladbach (1-0) – a reminder of what can all too easily happen.
And the lacklustre performances continued, even if Bayern managed a 1-0 win, via an injury time goal from Luiz Gustavo, against Wolfsburg at the weekend. Should the Germans not pick up the pace at the Allianz Arena, then another shock could be on the cards but this, unlike a single game in a long Bundesliga season, may be one from which Jupp Heynckes side cannot recover.
"The first game in the Champions League qualifier on Wednesday against FC Zurich is more important than a league game", warned legendary Germany midfielder Gunter Netzer after watching Bayern’s win at the Volkswagen Arena. "With speed, aggression and individual class, the Swiss can be beaten, but I also say, Zurich can be better than their reputation."
Beaten Before a Ball is Kicked?
For FC Zurich a more difficult qualifier to make the Champions League group stage is hard to imagine and still being in with a chance of progression after 90 minutes of football at the Allianz Arena will be the aim for Urs Fischer’s side. And the Swiss giants come into the game in good shape, having started the Super League season in July, boosting their match fitness, and recording impressive recent results.
The latest came at the weekend with a visit to champions Basel which saw Zurich record a notable 2-1 win at St. Jakob Park; this came hot on the heels of a simply sublime destruction of local rivals Grasshopper (6-0). These Super League results would have been reason for raised hope in Switzerland that maybe, just maybe, Bayern can be beaten and the group stages reached. But strangely, that is not the case, with Zurich appearing downbeat.
It was suggested to Fischer that the win over Basel will have boosted his charges’ confidence, "but we will face Bayern Munich, we know that", shot back the Zurich boss, who has been a self-confessed Bayern fan since his youth. "We’ll try not to get too carried away, without wanting to paint a bleak picture."
Recent form
Bayern Munich:
Braunschweig 0-3 Bayern Munich (01/08; German Cup)
Bayern Munich 0-1 Monchengladbach (07/08; Bundesliga)
Wolfsburg 0-1 Bayern Munich (13/08; Bundesliga)
FC Zurich:
FC Zurich 1-0 Standard Liege (03/08; Champions League)
FC Zurich 6-0 Grasshopper (07/08; Super League)
Basel 1-2 FC Zurich (13/08; Super League)
Key absences
Bayern Munich:
FC Zurich: None
Players to watch
Bayern Munich – Manuel Neuer: Bayern’s custodian was at fault for the club’s 1-0 home loss to Monchengladbach on the opening day of the Bundesliga season, via a breakdown of communication with fellow new boy Jerome Boateng. There is little doubt however that Neuer is one of the world’s finest goalkeepers. And with Bayern expected to dominate this game, he will have little to do for long periods. It is vital therefore that if he is called upon he is still in the zone.
FC Zurich – Admir Mehmedi: Just 20 years old, Mehmedi is seen as a vital part of the future of Swiss football. The Zurich forward shone at the European Under-21 Championships in Denmark with Switzerland as the country reached the final, only losing out to a rampant Spain side. Mehmedi may not get many chances against Bayern; it is vital he takes them when he does.
Match Prediction
Bayern Munich have yet to hit top gear, not surprising given the Bundesliga is but two weeks old. However, Zurich appear in many ways to have accepted that their task will be a momentous one. Despite a spell of good form and impressive results, Zurich will suffer from this lack of belief. At the Allianz Arena Bayern will simply have too much. Bayern Munich 2-0 FC Zurich.
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