Bayern, Arsenal set for Champions League round 16 first leg

By Daily Sports on February 14, 2017

 Bayern Munich and Arsenal meet in their big-name Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday, both hoping European success will help lift mid-season gloom on their domestic fronts.

Bayern are on track for a record-extending fifth consecutive title with a seven-point lead thanks to their 2-0 win over Ingolstadt on Saturday.

But that result does not tell the whole story, with the German champions looking lacklustre for most of the match before snatching two goals in the final minutes.

The Bavarians have been more a model of efficiency under coach Carlo Ancelotti than the high-scoring, high-speed train of past seasons under predecessor Pep Guardiola.

With fans grumbling about the lack of spark, Ancelotti said Saturday’s win gave them the boost needed to take on Arsenal.

“This result gives us a lot of confidence for Wednesday,” Ancelotti said. “We showed great character and that is very important.”

Ancelotti could be without winger Franck Ribery, with the Frenchman working towards a comeback from a thigh muscle injury sustained two weeks ago.

“It will be difficult but we will have to see. We will, however, take no risk with this,” said the coach.

Bayern have posted a record 15 straight home wins in the competition, including three this season. Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal have lost in the last 16 for six years in a row, including to Bayern in 2013 and 2014.

The London side ended a two-game losing run with a 2-0 league win over Hull on Saturday but that did little to lift the mood of their fans with Wenger non-committal about his future.

Asked about his future, the coach said: “I focus on what is important, winning football games and getting the team to perform. The rest, I cannot influence.”

Chilean Alexis Sanchez scored both goals against Hull but his own future is equally unclear and Wenger knows that a good result in Munich will go a long way in pushing these issues into the background.

“We have had bad experiences against them (Bayern),” said Wenger of their past eliminations, including one back in 2005. “But I feel that this is a good opportunity.”

“We have won there before and we play the first game away from home, so it is important we protect the second game because I feel that to have a chance to qualify in the second leg, that will be very important.” (© Reuters)

•Photo shows Arsenal’s star striker Alexis Sanchez.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 14, 2017


 

You may also like...
Remo Stars edge Akwa in Top 3 battle...

Manchester United confirms Solskjaer as caretaker manager

Aruna To Lead Fulda-Maberzell’s Campaign In German League...

Bayern Munich Star Davies Signs New Contract Until...

Leicester Eyeing Chelsea Striker Tammy Abraham

Mourinho eyes return to ‘top level’ football management...

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,383 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,392 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,542 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,214 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (41,999 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,876 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,757 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,215 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,265 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,177 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,626 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,204 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media