Champions League – Bayern promise to be inspirational against Greek side AEK Athens

Bayern vs AEK Athens – Wednesday, November 7, 20:00GMT/21:00CET – Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Bayern vs AEK Athens will take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich (Photo by Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Bayern at home has been tough viewing lately. The German champions have not won a home game in four consecutive matches and have scored just three goals in those games.

That slump now dates back to the 1-1 draw against FC Augsburg on September 25. Since then Bayern have faced Ajax (1-1), Gladbach (0-3) and Freiburg (1-1) at home. In all those games Bayern struggled with speed as well as creativity and, as a result, head coach Niko Kovac has been at the centre of some major criticism.

On Saturday Bayern fans punished the players with whistles already at halftime. Serge Gnabry then brought Bayern ahead in the 81′ minute, but the joy was shortlived as Lucas Höler scored the equaliser in the 89′ minute in what was another lacklustre performance by the Bavarians.

Watch Champions League live! Book your European football travel now by visiting Nickes.com!

The players have recognised that they need to improve their play. “We want to be more inspirational in the Champions League game. You can’t say ahead of time how many goals you will score, or what the result will be. We want to be inspirational,” midfielder Thomas Müller told kicker after Saturday’s game.

Bayern were anything but inspirational against AEK Athens in the first leg. Although in control Bayern, as it has been the case for weeks, lacked the creativity to tear apart AEK. The Greeks, in turn, were surprisingly dangerous going forward. In the end, two quick goals by Javi Martinez (61′) and Robert Lewandowski (63′) settled it in favour of the Bavarians.

That left the German champions on seven points, joint top of the section with Ajax – while AEK have lost all three matches. Bayern will, therefore, be through with a win if Benfica lose at Ajax in the section’s other matchday four contest; AEK will be unable to finish in the top two if they lose, or if they draw and Ajax avoid defeat.

The bottom line is that Bayern can make a big step towards the playoffs with a victory against AEK. But there will be more on the line for the Bavarians. Ultimately, the fans will expect an inspirational victory. AEK, on the other hand, will want to continue Bayern’s pain.

AEK, however, have to deal with their very own problems. Following matchday 9 in the Greek Superleague, AEK are just third and already three points behind PAOK in the standings. On the weekend AEK drew Panathinaikos 0-0 and in many ways showed the same problems that plague Bayern at the moment.

“We tried extremely hard to lose that match. If I could have I would have substituted the entire team,” head coach Marinos Ouzounidis said after the match. Like Bayern AEK lack speed as well as creativity in midfield and, as a result, cannot dominate opponents the same way as it was the case last season.

“We have to play 100% better in Munich. Otherwise, we won’t stand a chance,” Ouzounidis concluded. In other words, AEK might be just the sort of opponent Bayern need to overcome their recent slump and anything, but a convincing victory by the Reds would lead to an escalation of Bayern’s recent crisis.

Bayern vs AEK Athens – Players to look out for:

Robert Lewandowski #9 – Bayern München

Robert Lewandowski has not scored a goal in three games. The Polish striker last scored in the first leg against AEK Athens. Since then the Polish national team striker has been left hanging in the air by his teammates. Lewandowski’s inability to find the net has been a symptom of Bayern’s failure to break into the attacking third with speed and set the striker in scene. Getting Lewandowski consistently back on the scoresheet will be key for Bayern to get out of the current slump.

Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring the opening goal during the German First division Bundesliga football match between VfL Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich, on October 20, 2018 in Wolfsburg. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP)

Ezequiel Ponce #22 – AEK Athens

On loan from Roma Ezequiel Ponce had a great start at AEK. The 21-year-old Argentine striker has already scored two goals in three Greek Super League matches this season. Signed by Roma from Newell’s Old Boys in 2015 Ponce is already on his third loan spell and the Italian side hope that Champions League football will provide Ponce with the next stage in his development.

Bayern Munich’s Spanish defender Javi Martinez (L) vies with AEK’s Argentine forward Ezequiel Ponce (C) past Bayern Munich’s German defender Mats Hummels during the UEFA Champions League football match between AEK Athens FC and FC Bayern Munchen at the OACA Spyros Louis stadium in Athens on October 23, 2018. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP)

Bayern vs AEK Athens – Match Stats

• Bayern have never lost to a Greek club, home or away (W8 D2), and have won four of out five at home – most recently a 4-0 success against Olympiacos in the 2015/16 group stage.
• The German side have kept clean sheets in their last seven matches with Greek opponents, scoring 15 goals across the four most recent contests.
• AEK have won only two of their ten European fixtures against German clubs (D1 L7), both at home.
• AEK lost their first three games in Germany although the most recent, at Bayer Leverkusen in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup third round, ended in a remarkable 4-4 draw.

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Bayern vs AEK Athens – 3-1

Bayern vs AEK Athens – Lineups

Bayern München:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Neuer – Alaba, Boateng, Hummels, Kimmich – Goretzka, Javi Martínez, Müller – Ribéry, Lewandowski Robben

Head Coach: Niko Kovac

AEK Athens:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Barkas – Hult, Chygrynskiy, Lampropoulos, Bakakis – André Simoes, Galanopoulos – Boyé, Mantalos, Bakasetas – Ponce

Head Coach: Marinos Ouzounidis

Manuel Veth is the owner and Editor in Chief of the Futbolgrad Network. He also works as a freelance journalist and among others works for the Bundesliga and Pro Soccer USA. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which is available HERE. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada.  Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth.