After the historic 8-2 victory over Barcelona in the quarter-finals, Bayern are now just one game away from the Champions League final. Standing in the way on Wednesday are Lyon in the last four. Here are nine interesting stats and facts to make sure you’re up to speed ahead of kick-off.
1. Bayern lead head-to-head
Bayern have won half of their eight Champions League encounters with Lyon to date (D2, L2), including each of the last three. The most recent meeting came in April 2010 when the German record champions got the better of the French side in their only previous semi-final appearance. After a 1-0 victory at the Allianz Arena thanks to Arjen Robben’s goal, FCB ran out comfortable 3-0 winner in the second leg thanks to Ivica Olic’s hat-trick.
Will history repeat itself? Bayern progressed to the Champions League final the last time they faced Lyon in April 2010.
2. A dozen semis
Bayern have made it to the final four of the Champions League for the 12th time, which is second only to Real Madrid’s record of 13. Should Hansi Flick’s side overcome Lyon, it’ll see FCB into the final for the sixth time in the Champions League era (since 1992/93).
3. Winning run goes on and on
Bayern boast a perfect record in Europe this season with nine wins from nine matches. they could now equal the Champions League record by making it 10 victories in a row. It’s a best mark FCB themselves (in 2013) currently share with Real Madrid (in 2015).
4. Record-breaking attack
The thrashing of Barcelona saw the Bavarians take their goals tally in the Champions League this season to 39 goals – a clear record after nine matches. The most ever scored in an entire champions league campaign is 45 by Barcelona in 1999/2000, but they did so in 16 games. Bayern can play a maximum of 11 fixtures this season but still have the possibility to break that record.
5. Lewandowski the serial offender
Robert Lewandowski has scored in each of his last eight appearances in the competition. Only Ruud van Nistelrooy (9 games in 2003) and Cristiano Ronaldo (11 in 2018) have found the back of the net in more consecutive matches in the Champions League. Lewy also tops the scoring chart this season with 14 goals, which is as many as the entire Lyon team.
6. Novelty for German coaches
Together with Flick, RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel of Paris Saint-Germain make it three German coaches in the semi-finals for the first time ever. The fourth coach is Lyon’s Rudi Garcia, who could become the second Frenchman to lead a French team to the Champions League final after Didier Deschamps with Monaco in 2004.
7. Braces from the bench
Philippe Coutinho and Lyon’s Moussa Dembele both came off the bench in the 75th minute of their respective quarter-final matches and both bagged a brace. It means the pair now share the record for scoring two goals in the least amount of playing time in a Champions League knockout match (15 minutes).
Philippe Coutinho enjoyed a special evening against parent club Barcelona, coming off the bench to have a hand in three goals.
8. Fond memories of the Alvalade
The 8-2 win over Barcelona meant Bayern have stretched their unbeaten run in the Champions League in Lisbon to nine games (W6, D3). The Reds now take on Lyon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, where they have twice faced hosts Sporting. In 2006/07, FCB won 1-0 in the group stage, before a 5-0 victory in the 2008/09 round of 16.
9. Men and Women’s clash
Flick’s team aren’t the only Bayern side facing Lyon in the Champions League this week. Three days after the match in Lisbon, Jens Scheuer and his FCB Women take on the defending champions in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in Bilbao on Saturday.
All you need to know on opponents Lyon:
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