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

Manchester City will look to progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League as they take on Bayern Munich in the second leg of the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

The rich vein of form continued for Manchester City on Saturday evening, as they swept aside a struggling Leicester City side at the Etihad Stadium, defeating them 3-1 and continuing their pursuit of a third consecutive Premier League title.

It was a typically ruthless first half from City, as they found themselves 3-0 up within 25 minutes, thanks to a John Stones opener and an almost inevitable Erling Haaland brace.

After a couple of headers away inside the Leicester City penalty area, the ball found itself at the feet of John Stones on the edge of the box, who smashed the ball home on his left foot, giving City a lead inside five minutes after an opening period of dominance.

The pattern of play remained the same with City putting Leicester to the sword, as Jack Grealish found himself in a good area out wide before delivering a cross which struck the hand of Wilfred Ndidi, giving Manchester City a penalty and a chance to double their lead.

Erling Haaland stepped up and unsurprisingly found the net, beating Daniel Iversen in the Leicester goal and putting City 2-0 up, as it seemed like it would be a long old evening for the away side.

There was no rest for the wicked, as Kevin De Bruyne capitalised on a loose ball in midfield which triggered the trademark Haaland run in behind, as the pair telepathically combined once again as Haaland finished exquisitely, lofting the ball over Iversen and putting the game to bed.

Manchester City used the half-time scoreline as their chance to make early changes ahead of the blockbuster tie against Bayern looming, as Erling Haaland, John Stones and Rodrigo was replaced by Julian Alvarez, Manuel Akanji and Kalvin Phillips before the 50^th minute.

Cole Palmer and Sergio Gomez would enter the fray later on, replacing Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish. The substitutions did make City a tad weaker, with Leicester gaining a foothold in the match.

All focus turns now to Wednesday’s huge clash with Bayern Munich. City arrive into the game with a seemingly comfortable 3-0 lead, but Pep Guardiola and his players will surely not take that for granted.

The aggregate scoreline creates an interesting question mark as to how City will approach the game, whether they will stick to their game and attack Bayern Munich, or adopt a more defensive mindset, an approach which worked wonderfully and miserably in last season’s Champions League campaign against the two Madrid clubs.

Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City players will be determined to bounce back from last season’s disappointment in the competition and learn from their mistakes, as the hunt for the all elusive Champion’s League trophy still remains.

Manchester City will look to get over the line whilst Bayern Munich have a mountain to climb, a task which hasn’t been undermined by manager Thomas Tuchel. The tie may not be perfectly balanced, but it is all to play for in Munich on Wednesday in this fascinating second-leg.

When?

Manchester City take on Bayern Munich on Wednesday 19^th April, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 BST.

Where?

The match will take place away from home for Manchester City, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.

How to watch?

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

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