With domination of the Bundesliga already assured for a sixth-successive season, Bayern Munich’s attention turns back to gaining the prize that will define their campaign.
Unstoppable Poland striker Robert Lewandowski’s injury-time penalty – his 27th of a typically prolific campaign – capped off a scintillating comeback against Wolfsburg at the weekend. This 2-1 triumph was their 22nd from the last 23 matches in all competitions, in which time Bayern have put together a cumulative scoreline of 58-14.
The decision in October to drag club legend Jupp Heynckes out of retirement for a fourth stint in charge will look even better if a similar result is attained for this UEFA Champions League round-of-16 opener when Besiktas visit their Allianz Arena.
A mission impossible, then, for the Super Lig holders? Not necessarily.
Although they sit fourth in the table and five points in arrears to upstarts Istanbul Basaksehir, they have only lost two of their last 24 matches in all competitions. They also did the double against Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig to top an intriguing Group B.
Clearly, the ragtag squad which has answered the anthemic “Come to Besiktas” call have gelled far better than expected. Curious chemistry is at play as head coach Senol Gunes has managed to make a coherent XI out of errant ex-Al Ain and Liverpool forward Ryan Babel, former Al Ahli and Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma and Manchester City misfit Alvaro Negredo – whose place is under threat from January recruit Vagner Love.
Even Bayern’s imposing home form can be viewed positively.
They might have won their last 13 games at the Allianz, but only one clean sheet has been kept in their last seven on home soil. These defensive frailties give hope of an away goal or two which could yet prove decisive in the febrile atmosphere at Istanbul’s Vodafone Park.
Choices, choices, choices! 🤔
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) February 19, 2018
Who makes your #FCBayernFan11 against @BesiktasEnglish? ⚽ #MiaSanMia #UCL #FCBBJK pic.twitter.com/IYJQCbrNu6
Still without injured No1 Manuel Neuer, first-class protection must be provided by Germany centre-backs Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels. The weekend return of Thiago Alcantara potentially adds a rarefied air to Bayern’s midfield.
It is now coming up to five years since Heynckes inspired them to their zenith of the 2012/13 quadruple. Domestic records were broken and German football was redefined in the Pep Guardiola years, but neither he nor Carlo Ancelotti could gift a sixth Champions League crown.
In all probability, Besiktas will just be a stop-off point. True tests await to see whether Heynckes, at 72, still can get Bayern over the line.
