Bayern out to secure first place at Dynamo Kyiv

Bayern face their last Champions League away game of the year on Tuesday as they head to Dynamo Kyiv (kick-off at 18:45 CET, coverage on fcbayern.com with our live text commentary and free web radio) on Matchday 5 of Group E. Julian Nagelsmann and his team want to get back to winning ways following their 2-1 defeat away at Augsburg on Friday and travel with the clear goal of wrapping up top spot in the group.

Check out the best photos as Bayern made their way to Kyiv:

Situation for Bayern

Bayern have been impressive in Europe this season, winning their first four games, scoring 17 goals and conceding just two. The 5-2 win over Benfica last time out saw them book their place in the round of 16 with two matches to spare. Now the Reds just need to ensure they will top their section. A point in Ukraine will be enough to guarantee FCB can’t be knocked off first place.

The opposition

After opening the campaign with a 0-0 draw against Benfica, Dynamo have lost their ensuing three Champions League group games. Although they only have a point, they are still in with a chance of reaching the knockout stage, but they will need to beat Bayern and hope for a favourable result in the other game between Barcelona and Benfica later on Tuesday. Mircea Lucescu’s team are in good form and claimed a 6-1 win away at Chornomorets at the weekend to claim top spot in the Ukrainian league.

Find out more on Kyiv’s weekend game:

Player update

Bayern make the trip with eight players missing. Dayot Upamecano is suspended after picking up three yellow cards, while Niklas Süle and Josip Stanisic are still unavailable after positive COVID-19 tests. Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Michael Cuisance and Jamal Musiala are all self-isolating following contact with a positive case. Kingsley Coman and Marcel Sabitzer are both carrying knocks. “It’s still up in the air if they can play. Things don’t look so good for Sabi with Achilles and calf problems. King isn’t feeling anything with his muscle but still something in his calf. We’ll have to see how they react,” Nagelsmann said at his press conference on Monday.

Dynamo are without striker Artem Besedin (knee) and attacker Benjamin Verbic.

What the coaches say

Julian Nagelsmann: “The Champions League is never not important. It’s no longer relevant for reaching the next round, which is a positive. But we have to do better with the things we didn’t do well against Augsburg and in previous weeks and take steps forwards. Even though we’ve had to make changes, we still have a very, very good team. It’s an important game for us.”

Mircea Lucescu: “We’re playing against Bayern Munich, which is huge motivation. We played well at times in the reverse fixture. We’ll give everything and try to perform to our best.”

Re-watch Nagelsmann and Leroy Sane’s pre-match press conference:

The referee

Tuesday’s game will be overseen by Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler. It’s the 35-year-old’s first Bayern fixture. His assistants are compatriots Mustafa Eyisoy and Ibrahim Çaglar Uyarcan. Arda Kardesler is the fourth official. Mete Kalkavan and Abdulkadir Bitigen are the VARs.

Check out the most important facts and stats ahead of the game: