FC Bayern have the advantage! After the 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge at the end of February, the Munich side are in an excellent starting position for Saturday's Champions League knockout match. Nevertheless, the record champions remain focused on the task ahead. It is important FCB build on the strong form they showed before the five-week break. fcbayern.com has taken a closer look at the opponents.
Champions League qualification secured, defeat in the FA Cup final
Despite the clear defeat in the first leg, Chelsea will do everything they can to make the duel an exciting one. In the past few weeks, coach Frank Lampard's team have played some convincing football. The West London side have secured their place in next year's Champions League with six wins in nine league games following the coronavirus interruption, including a 2-1 triumph over Manchester City. Successes against Leicester City and Manchester United carried them to the FA Cup final, where Chelsea lost 2-1 to Arsenal last Saturday.
Pulisic, Azpilicueta & Pedro injured
An especially bitter defeat: Christian Pulisic, César Azpilicueta and Pedro suffered injuries against their city rivals in the cup final and are out of the game in Munich. Willian, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Billy Gilmour as well as suspended Jorginho and Marcos Alonso will also be absent. Summer newcomers Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech are not yet eligible to play in the Champions League.
Goals in eleven out of twelve games since the restart
Lampard's Blues squad is full of international players and will have plenty of opportunities to put Bayern under pressure at the Allianz Arena despite the absentees. The Londoners have been in good form in the late restart of the Premier League campaign, showing their offensive potential in recent games: The Blues have found the net in all but one of their matches since the restart. Hansi Flick's team have been warned.
Robert Lewandowski scored the final goal in the 3-0 first leg win. The top scorer has been in excellent form this season, and he wants to build on that against Chelsea on Saturday:
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