Match Preview: Bayern Munich vs Manchester City

City look to get revenge against European Champions

By Jack Mumford

Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich’s fortress, is City’s destination for their final game in the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday night. 

With Bayern yet to lose at home this season and their complete domination of City at the Etihad Stadium in October still fresh in everyone’s memory, Manuel Pellegrini and his men will be glad they can go to Munich knowing their place in the Knockout phase is already confirmed. City can still finish top of Group D but would need to win by three clear goals at the home of the European Champions.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Manchester City 1 - 3 Bayern Munich: Thoughts and Ratings

By Aaron Leggott

My thoughts

I'll start this off by saying that I wasn't too surprised with the result on Wednesday. A lot of City fans went into the game thinking we could at least match the quality of Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich - but the match proved their superiority - not only over City, but the rest of Europe as well.

The front six of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Arjen Robben, Toni Kroos, Franck Ribéry and Thomas Müller was used to devastating effect, with Micah Richards describing the game as playing against an extra man. 

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Match Reflection: Manchester City 1 - 3 Bayern Munich

Brilliant Bayern down City with ease

By Rebecca Halliwell

Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City were given a cruel lesson in European football after current Champions League holders Bayern Munich annihilated the Blues in their own back yard.

Goals from Franck Ribéry, Thomas Müller and Arjen Robben gave Munich an initial 3-0 advantage before Álvaro Negredo came off the bench to grab City a consolation goal on 79 minutes.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

In truth, City had a good first five minutes. They kept possession despite the pressure and Micah Richards tested Manuel Neuer with a decent header from a corner. But one defensive lapse led to Bayern’s first goal on seven minutes. Joe Hart’s attempted save was poor and Ribéry's strike from outside the box deflected in off his arm.

In the Spotlight: FC Bayern Munich

No. 7: Previous meetings, Pep Guardiola and Franck Ribéry

By Aaron Leggott

Our first Champions League game at the Etihad Stadium this season sees the Blues pit their wits against the current holders, Bayern Munich. We caught up with Enis Köylü (@eniskoylu) - a German and Turkish football expert who works as a sub editor and site manager for Goal. 

Photo: Official Bayern München Facebook

Match Reflection: City 1 - 2 Bayern Munich

Encouraging display from City despite defeat to European Champions

By Adam Bailey

There was spirit, there was creativity and there was a goal from a new signing - but Manuel Pellegrini will have to wait for his second trophy at Manchester City after seeing his side lose 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup Final.

The Blues approached the tie with all the energy of an aging Nissan Micra. The European Champions boasted an impressive 72% possession rate at the end of the first half and City were struggling to piece together any meaningful pieces of play.

Stevan Jovetić and Álvaro Negredo did have chances to put their new club ahead at the break but honestly, a furocious defensive display from Vincent Kompany at the heart of the defence ensured City went into the break on level terms.

Negredo celebrating after grabbing the opener for City
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook