Bayern Munich Vs. Valencia, 2012 UEFA Champions League: Preview And Schedule

MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 18: Franck Ribery plays with the ball during a FC Bayern Muenchen training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League group F match against Valencia CF at the Saebener Strasse training ground on September 18, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Bayern Munich would be tested if Valencia had fit midfielders. Too bad they don't.

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If Valencia were at full strength, they'd be able to match Bayern Munich in midfield and give them an excellent game, even in Germany. Unfortunately, they are nowhere near full strength. All of Ever Banega, Fernando Gago and David Albelda will be unavailable in the center for Los Che. They're also without winger/attacking midfielder Pablo Piatti. This means that Tino Costa is going to be the most defensive player in Valencia's midfield, which is bad news against a team as good as Bayern.

The Bavarians aren't without their own fitness problems, but they have a mostly full side at their disposal. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery were both rested over the weekend and should return. Bastian Schweinsteiger has returned from injury and finally appears to be 100 percent, meaning Jupp Heyneckes will have to decide which one of Javi Martinez or Luis Gustavo to leave on the bench. David Alaba remains out with a long-term injury.

Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local

Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

TV: DirecTV Soccer (U.S.), Sky Sports (U.K. - Red Button), Sportsnet World Plus (Canada)

Online: FOX Soccer 2 Go (U.S.)

For more on the hosts, check out Bayern Munich blog Bavarian Football Works. We'll have coverage of every match in our UEFA Champions League Wednesday StoryStream. For more on the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.