Manchester City needs to Beat Bayern
Munich in the Champions League today
if the team is to have any hope of
progressing from Group E.
The German champions has the option
to rest players for its trip to the Etihad
Stadium , as the team is already
assured of top spot in the group, with
maximum points from its first four
games .
Since losing to Borussia Dortmund in
the German Super Cup in August, Pep
Guardiola ’s side have been on an 18 -
match unbeaten run , including a last-
gasp 1- 0 win over the Premier League
champions in its opening group fixture
earlier this season.
Bastian Schweinsteiger could play a
role, having come off the bench for his
first action since injuring his knee in
August during the 4 -0 win over
Hoffenheim at the weekend
Philipp Lahm will miss out though , as
he is sidelined until next year with an
ankle injury, while Javi Martinez, Pepe
Reina and Thiago Alcantara are among
a number of long- term absentees .
In order to remain in contention for a
spot in the last 16, Manuel Pellegrini’s
side must beat Bayern, and hope that
the other Group E match ends in a
draw .
The hosts is currently bottom of the
group , having drawn twice and lost
twice in its first four matches .
Yaya Toure, who scored in the Premier
League at the weekend , and
Fernandinho are both suspended after
being sent off against CSKA Moscow
last time out .
Vincent Kompany is available though,
having overcome a calf injury to play
against Swansea City, but David Silva
and Edin Dzeko are both doubts after
missing the 2- 1 win with injuries