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Bayern Munich host Atalanta at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night with a commanding 6-1 lead from the first leg in Bergamo. The Champions League round-of-16 tie leaves Vincent Kompany’s side on the brink of the quarterfinals, while Atalanta need an unprecedented recovery to extend their European campaign.
Bayern produced the dominant display of the tie last week despite being without Harry Kane, with Michael Olise scoring twice in Bergamo. The result has placed the Bundesliga leaders in full control before the return leg in Munich.
Atalanta arrive after a 1-1 draw away to Inter Milan in Serie A, a result that followed a damaging first-leg defeat. Raffaele Palladino’s team are currently seventh in the league and facing a fight to return to the Champions League next season, which adds further weight to their final attempt to respond in Europe.
Bayern were also held to a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend. That match became more complicated after two red cards reduced them to nine men, but Sven Ulreich helped preserve the result as Kompany’s team protected their position at the top of the Bundesliga.
A five-goal first-leg deficit has never been overturned in Champions League history, which underlines the scale of the challenge facing Atalanta. Even so, the second leg may be more competitive than the first, with Bayern expected to rotate and Atalanta welcoming back important players.
Bayern Munich Team News Before Atalanta Return Leg
Bayern are dealing with uncertainty in goal. Manuel Neuer remains out with a calf injury, while Ulreich suffered a muscle injury at the weekend and will miss Wednesday’s match. Jonas Urbig could return from concussion protocol in time, but if he is not cleared, 16-year-old Leonard Prescott is in line to make his first start for Bayern.
Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise are suspended after collecting their third yellow cards of the Champions League campaign in the first leg. Harry Kane may not be risked, while Hiroki Itō and Jamal Musiala are injury doubts. Alphonso Davies is unavailable because of a hamstring problem.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Prescott; Laimer, Tah, Kim, Stanišić; Goretzka, Pavlović; Karl, Gnabry, Díaz; Jackson.
Atalanta Receive Timely Boosts Ahead Of Munich
Atalanta have at least been strengthened by the return of Éderson and Charles De Ketelaere, who both came off the bench against Inter. De Ketelaere had been out for more than a month after knee surgery and could return to the starting lineup in Munich.
Raffaele Palladino is also expected to restore a 3-4-2-1 shape after last week’s unsuccessful use of a 4-4-2. January signing Giacomo Raspadori is the only injury doubt, while Yunus Musah is suspended for the trip to Germany.
Atalanta predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolašinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Éderson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Zalewski; Scamacca.
Kick-Off Time, Venue And Prediction
The match will be played at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday, March 18, with kick-off set for 8 p.m. GMT. Benoît Bastien will referee the second leg, with Bastien Dechepy on VAR.
Atalanta have generally competed well in Germany, with three wins and two draws from seven matches in the country, but the size of Bayern’s first-leg advantage leaves little doubt over the direction of the tie. Bayern should progress comfortably, even if the return leg is closer.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2-2 Atalanta.