Match Preview: Manchester City vs Bayern Munich (Champions League Quarter-Final First-Leg)

The road to Istanbul continues for Manchester City when they take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night.

Manchester City’s current form can only be described as incredible, with the reigning Premier League champions on an eight-game winning streak, after a 4-1 away victory at Southampton on Saturday evening.

Despite not starting the game with the usual exhilarating tempo we associate with City, the Blues did manage to unlock the door late in the first half, as the inevitable Erling Haaland opened the scoring for the away side.

After the robust approach from Southampton was undone, Manchester City kicked into gear.

Pep Guardiola’s side capitalised on the knock in confidence administered by Haaland and would double their lead not long into the second half.

Jack Grealish would deliver a lethal blow, after the England international was slipped through by Kevin De Bruyne. Grealish saw his initial strike saved by goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu before nestling the rebound in and giving the Champions some breathing space.

Southampton were desperate for any kind of respite, a wish Erling Haaland wasn’t willing to grant.

After being teed up inside the penalty area, the Norwegian rose highest and finished acrobatically, demonstrating exactly what he is capable of – as if we didn’t already know.

The Saints did manage to pull one back against the run of play in the second half, as Moussa Djenepo evaded a few challenges before providing for Sekou Mara, who neatly slotted the ball past Ederson.

It wouldn’t take long before City would restore the three-goal cushion, as Kevin De Bruyne was brought down under a challenge in the penalty area.

Substitute Julian Alvarez would mark his apperance with a goal, adding City’s fourth and finishing the scoring for the afternoon.

A comfortable afternoon for City left them in a perfect position for Tuesday night’s European quest against Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich.

Tuchel was in charge of Chelsea for the 2021 Champions League Final in Portugal, while the German manager also successfully beat City in the FA Cup semi-finals and Premier League that season.

The German champions travel to the Etihad Stadium after sweeping one of the competition favourites Paris Saint Germain aside in the round of 16.

Despite not matching the form of Manchester City, with the German side having two victories and two defeats in the last four, Guardiola and the City players will be under no illusion that the affair will be a comfortable one.

Following last season’s semi-final heartbreak, Manchester City will surely be determined to rectify their disappointments and amend the mistakes which cost them a place in the final.

City will have the support of the home crowd on Tuesday night to boost their momentum in what promises to be a blockbuster quarter-final tie.

When?

Manchester City take on Bayern Munich on Tuesday 11^th April with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 BST.

Where?

The match will take place at home for Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

How to watch?

For viewers in the United Kingdom, you can view the match on BT Sport 1.

For viewers in the United States, you can view the match on Paramount+, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 EST.

Full channel listings for viewers elsewhere around the globe are available here!