By Dan Gaichas
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW: Bayern Munich will be back in action on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League against Russian side FC Rostov (1:45pm, Fox Soccer 2 Go). As one of just two teams in the Bundesliga who still carry a 100% record (Hertha Berlin), Bayern are looking to win their 13th successive Champions League opener and record-breaking 13th successive home Champions League win. Bayern tied the record set by Manchester United from 2006 to 2008 in the semifinal last season.
It’s all about getting the first three points on the road that will hopefully lead to Cardiff and the Principality Stadium come June 3rd, 2017. Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti is not taking any chances with the Russian debutants who knocked out Ajax in the Playoff Round.
“They did it very well in the qualification,” a respectful Carlo Ancelotti commented in the pre-match presser. “They’re very well organised, they defend with five players. It’s very difficult to find solutions against them.”
This being the second of seven matches in three weeks, Ancelotti is not expecting to make a “great rotation” to his lineup, but it could include Joshua Kimmich, Arturo Vidal, and Douglas Costa. Kingsley Coman will not feature on Tuesday. He is being prepared for Saturday’s Bundesliga match against FC Ingolstadt (8:30am CT, FS1).
RESERVES AND FRAUEN: The Bayern Munich II side lost to VfR Garching in the Regionalliga Bayern, 1-0, on Saturday. Bayern Munich II currently sit third in the table, nine points behind SpVgg Unterhaching who have a 100% record. The Reserves host FC Memmingen on Friday.
Bayern Munich’s women’s side defeated FF USV Jena, 1-0, in Die Frauen Bundesliga and move up to fifth in the table after an opening draw against SC Freiburg. The women host VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday, September 25th.
Bayern Women begin table climb with 1-0 over FF USV Jena – Photo courtesy of www.ffusvjen.de
