Alexander Hassenstein
Following their loss in Belarus, Bayern Munich face a difficult road test in Lille. Anything less than three points could put them in a hole if their aim is to win the group.
Bayern Munich are coming off a loss in Belarus, and their opponents didn't grab that result on pure luck. BATE Borisov outplayed the Bavarians on that night, and Jupp Heynckes will have a lot to think about regarding how he sets up his team on Tuesday following that result. They're facing a less defensively organized team during this round, but Lille have more raw talent among their ranks than BATE.
Heynckes' biggest decision is likely who he's going to start in midfield. Bastian Schweinsteiger is 90 minutes fit again, while Luiz Gustavo did not look great in the BATE match. Javi Martinez was rested over the weekend while Schweinsteiger and Gustavo played, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Martinez come into the side for the Brazilian. Heynckes also has to decide to do with his back line now that David Alaba is fit, but the Austrian star will probably spend at least one more match coming off the bench before he regains his starting place.
Lille have the available midfield and forward talent to make this match interesting, but it might not matter if they can't sort out their defense. They're missing one starting defender for sure, and possibly two if Marko Baša can't play after having surgery to repair a broken nose.
Lille injuries and suspensions
Out: Idrissa Gueye (ankle), Rio Mavuba (knee), Mathieu Debuchy (suspended). In doubt: Marko Baša (nose)
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Lukas Raeder (knee), Mario Gomez (ankle), Diego Contento (foot). In doubt: Arjen Robben (foot)
Lille got Marvin Martin back from injury on the weekend, and he could provide a massive boost to their chances of getting a result. Though he was not bought as a direct replacement for Eden Hazard, he was supposed to replace a lot of Hazard's creative output. The other three missing players still hurt Lille considerably, however.
Bayern's injuries are nothing new. None of Raeder, Gomez or Contento have played this season, while Thomas Müller's form has improved with Robben out of the side. Alaba has recently returned from injury and should start on the bench. He'll be a useful substitute as a defensive left winger or an attacking left back, depending on the situation the Bavarians find themselves in during the second half.
Match Date/Time: 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Grand Stade Lille Métropole, Lille, France
TV: DirecTV Soccer (U.S.), TVN Sports (Canada), Sky Sports red button (U.K.), Canal+ (France), Sky Go (Germany)
Online: FOX Soccer 2 Go (U.S.)
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