Will FC Bayern seal their place in the Champions League knockout stages in only the fourth group match? A draw will be enough for the Munich men to do just that against Galatasaray at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night (live text and free Web Radio commentary from 21:00 CET on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). You'll find all the important info ahead of the meeting with the Turkish record champions in our preview.
Here are the best photos from the eve of the match:
The state of play for Bayern
Three games, three wins – Bayern have once again come flying out of the blocks in the Champions League group stage. The 3-1 away win at Galatasaray two weeks ago underlined their ambition to progress and also extended an incredible run in Europe's premier club competition: Thomas Tuchel's side have won each of their last 16 UCL group games and are unbeaten in 37 at this stage. FCB are now hoping to maintain that in the return match against the Turkish record champions. If the Bavarians avoid defeat, their place in the round of 16 would already be secure. "Of course that's our wish," stated Tuchel in Tuesday's press conference. "The group stage is always super difficult. It would give us huge confidence and would be a big affirmation. The full focus is on tomorrow, it's going to be hard work," he added. Victory could even confirm Bayern as group winners if Manchester United (three points) don't win at FC Copenhagen (one point).
The brilliant 4-0 success in the Bundesliga Klassiker at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday should provide extra momentum. "We obviously we want to take the good things from Dortmund – our pace, our attacking play – onto the pitch," demanded Tuchel. "We need to be at our best again and perform as we have done in the league and Champions League recently, We need to move a lot when we have the ball and make good decisions in transition. We expect an intensive and even game, which we're looking forward to."
The main statements from the press conference as well as the other updates from the day before the match against Galatasaray can be found in our live blog:
The opponents: Galatasaray
With four points, Galatasaray are in second place behind Bayern in Group A. Before the 3-1 defeat at home to FCB, the defending Turkish champions impressed with a 2-2 draw against Copenhagen and a 3-2 victory in Manchester. Coach Okan Buruk's men can also also travel to Munich with confidence following two narrow wins in the Süper Lig against Rizespor (1-0) and Kasımpaşa (2-1), which saw them go top of the table at the weekend. "We had enough problems in the first game to learn from. Galatasaray were very strong. They play with high intensity and courage," warned Tuchel.
Galatasaray warmed up for the clash with Bayern with a 2-1 win on Friday:
The team news for Bayern vs. Galatasaray
After Dayot Upamecano and Leon Goretzka returned to the squad on Saturday, the personnel situation has eased somewhat for Bayern. Joshua Kimmich, who's currently serving a suspension in the Bundesliga, is available for Wednesday's match. Only Matthijs de Ligt (knee ligament tear) and Raphaël Guerreiro (muscle strain) remain sidelined. "For Rapha Guerreiro it's probably too early to be included in the squad, we're targeting the Heidenheim game there," confirmed Tuchel.
For Galatasaray, captain and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is a doubt after injuring his shoulder in Friday's game against Kasımpaşa. A decision on him will be made on matchday, according to coach Buruk.
The facts on the match against Galatasaray:
What the coaches say
We need precision, a lot of movement in possession and good shape. I'm expecting an intense and difficult match.
Thomas Tuchel
The expectations at Galatasaray are always to win. That was also true in the first game. Of course we have a plan. Bayern will certainly be more dominant at home, a few players have returned to the squad. We want to create chances like we did in the first game, but convert them this time.
Okan Buruk
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