Bayern Munich need to guard against complacency and other talking points

Aditya Devavrat 18:46 10/04/2018
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  • Bayern Munich are in pole position to advance from their quarter-final tie.

    Bayern Munich hold a 2-1 lead heading into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Sevilla after their away win last Tuesday.

    Although they don’t have three-goal leads like LiverpoolReal Madrid, and Barcelona do in the other quarter-finals, it would seem they also have one foot in the semi-finals already, especially as they come into this match having just sealed the Bundesliga title.

    However, Sevilla have shown that they are capable of pulling off an upset, having dispatched Manchester United in the previous round. They will be a motivated side and Bayern cannot afford to take them lightly.

    BAYERN NEED TO GUARD AGAINST COMPLACENCY

    The worry with Bayern Munich in recent seasons has always been complacency – cantering to the Bundesliga title isn’t the best way to keep up intensity for a crunch Champions League clash.

    They know not to take Sevilla for granted; the first leg should have shown them that much, as more clinical finishing in front of goal could have seen the La Liga side take a bigger lead before Bayern began their comeback. If that isn’t enough, there’s always the fact that Sevilla have already gotten the exact result they need on Wednesday in the previous round – a 2-1 away win, a repeat of their second-leg result against United, will send this tie to extra time.

    SEVILLA’S LAST STAND

    The season has gotten away from Sevilla. From looking like they would compete for a top-four finish, they’re now in danger of finishing outside of the European places entirely. They still have a Copa del Rey final to come later in the season – with the spot in the Europa League that comes with it – but for now, a promising season is looking like a lost season.

    Wednesday’s game is effectively the biggest game remaining barring the cup final, with a spot in the Champions League semi-finals on the line. Their big-game record domestically this season is cause for concern – but there is that win over United to draw inspiration from.

    JAMES LOOKING TO MAKE A POINT?

    James Rodriguez has excelled in the Bundesliga this season, tallying six goals and 10 assists in his 19 league appearances. He has yet to bring that form into Europe, where he has only one assist in nine appearances.

    That’s partly down to Jupp Heynckes’ selection, as James isn’t a guaranteed starter in the Champions League. He didn’t start the first leg of this tie, nor the second leg of the last one, and it could be that Heynckes has the same perception of James which has dogged him throughout his career: a wonderfully talented footballer who at times is a luxury his team can’t afford.

    If he starts on Wednesday, James will have a point to prove.

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