It’s all or nothing! FC Bayern host Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday evening (kick-off 21:00 CEST, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). “We have a great opportunity in our Arena. It will be a fantastic atmosphere. We have great belief in ourselves and want to achieve something special,” said FCB striker Harry Kane, who is highly motivated ahead of the showdown against the Gunners. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.
State of play for Bayern
Thomas Tuchel’s squad established a solid foundation for the second leg through a spirited and convincing performance at Arsenal. The 2-2 draw in London showcased “the true colors of FC Bayern,” as CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen summarized. With the initial step taken, the Munich team is now poised to demonstrate their Champions League prowess once more and secure a top-four finish in Europe for the first time in four years.
“We’ll need to replicate everything – the same dedication, passion, and tactical discipline as in the first leg. Our aim is to win the match,” stated the coach during his pre-match press conference ahead of the second leg at the Allianz Arena. Concurrently, Bayern seeks to leverage their home advantage and orchestrate another magical European night with their supporters. “We must push ourselves to the limit, and we’ll rely on every spectator to stand by us, back us, and propel us over this significant hurdle together. We’re prepared,” Tuchel added.
The opponents: Arsenal
Arsenal’s streak of success in the Premier League abruptly halted during the warm-up match for the second leg in Munich. Despite accumulating 31 out of 33 possible points in the championship, the Gunners suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, surrendering their top spot in the table to rivals Manchester City. Reflecting on the loss, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta described the mood as “frustrated and sad” during the post-match press conference. However, Arteta emphasized the importance of looking ahead and seizing the “great opportunity” presented. The club’s last appearance in the Champions League semi-finals was in the 2008/09 season. “Sunday’s game has no bearing on tomorrow. We’re highly focused, prepared, and eager to demonstrate it on the field,” said Arteta, anticipating the match at the Allianz Arena.
Despite the league setback, Bayern remains vigilant and acknowledges the strengths of their upcoming opponents. “They’re quite versatile, with fluid transitions. Many movements appear automatic, but there’s also creativity,” explained FCB coach Tuchel.
Team news
In addition to the suspended Alphonso Davies, Bayern will be missing Serge Gnabry (left hamstring muscle strain), Kingsley Coman (right adductor muscular injury), Sacha Boey (hamstring injury), Bouna Sarr (ACL injury), and Tarek Buchmann (muscular injury) for the second leg. Captain Manuel Neuer and Leroy Sané, who were rested during Saturday’s league game against Köln (2-0), are back in the squad, according to Tuchel.
According to Arteta, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard remain doubtful for Arsenal, as both sustained knocks in the league game against Aston Villa. “We’ll assess their fitness tomorrow,” stated the Arsenal coach.
What the coaches say?
„We have a game where we can take the next big step in this wonderful competition. We’re determined to put everything on the table.”
Thomas Tuchel
We have a great opportunity to make history. We’re ready and want to show a cohesive team performance and our individual qualities.”
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal coach)