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Champions League Preview: Bayern Munich – Maccabi Haifa

With two matches to go, Bayern face a mountain to climb if they are to qualify for the knockout stages...

Nov 24, 2009 2:40:09 PM

Bundesliga, Louis van Gaal, Bayern Munich (PA)

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Bundesliga, Louis van Gaal, Bayern Munich (PA)

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Kick-Off: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 20:45 CET

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Do Or Die For Van Gaal?

With two matches to go, Bayern are on the verge of failing to qualify for the knockout round. Following consecutive losses to Bordeaux, Bayern have just four points, and now need to beat Haifa (home) and Juventus (away) just to have a chance at qualifying. The kicker is, it will all be in vain if Juventus are able to beat Bordeaux tomorrow. Needless to say, Bayern’s season is on the verge of collapse, and coach Louis van Gaal could be on his way out before Christmas if his side fails to win tomorrow.

In their most recent outing against Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern showed some clear signs of improvement. The Bavarians were quick and aggressive, and went a goal up inside ten minutes. After a lovely long ball and a terrible defensive lapse, however, the score was brought level, where it would remain until the end. Although Bayern had their chances to win, they were too few and too far between, and nearly the entire team left much to be desired. In addition to miserable technical work, Bayern ran out of ideas in midfield, and there were long periods of time during which the back four would pass among themselves before punting a hopeful ball upfield.

Facing a highly motivated Haifa team, Bayern will be forced to correct the mistakes that have plagued the German record champions all year. The visitors will play deep, meaning that Bayern will likely have troubles if they attempt to force a way through. Surgical precision in passing and creative play in and around the top of the 18-yard box is a must, but at the same time, Bayern must not over commit offensively and be beaten on the break as they were last weekend. As usual, victory will be difficult, but is expected for the men in red. Anything less, and Van Gaal’s days as Bayern coach may come to a premature end.

Upset On The Cards?

While Israeli teams have traditionally performed poorly in European play, tomorrow’s match offers a rare but clear opportunity to turn heads. Haifa may have lost 3-0 at home in their first outing against Bayern, but their perfect league record of 10 wins from 10 matches cannot be underestimated. No team has scored more goals, and just one has allowed fewer than the defending champions, who are already nine points ahead of Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

Their league form has anything but translated to Champions League success as Haifa have lost all four group stage matches by a 6-0 margin. Having qualified for Europe’s premier club competition for only the second time in their history, Haifa are desperate to make an impression. Although there remains no chance of Haifa qualifying for the knockout stages, a Europa League berth is possible if improbable.

If Elisha Levi’s men are to make an impression tomorrow, they will need to show more poise in front of goal. As of now, Haifa are the only team out of 32 to have not scored in the group stage. Needless to say, there will be tremendous pressure on forwards Shlomi Arbeitman and Vladimer Dvalishvili, who have scored ten and seven league goals, respectively, and managed a combined eight in Champions League qualifiers. If they are able to translate their league form into success in Munich, the Bavarians may be out of luck even if Bordeaux hold Juventus.

FORM GUIDE

Bayern Munich

22 Nov v Bayer Leverkusen (H) DREW 1-1 (Bundesliga)

7 Nov v Schalke (H) DREW 1-1 (Bundesliga)

3 Nov v Bordeaux (H) LOST 2-0 (Champions League)

31 Oct v Stuttgart (A) DREW 0-0 (Bundesliga)

28 Oct v Frankfurt (A) WON 4-0 (DFB Pokal)

Maccabi Haifa

21 Nov v Maccabi Ahi Nazareth (H) WON 4-1 (Ligat Al)

16 Nov v Hapoel Be’er Sheva (A) DREW 0-0 (Toto Cup Ligat Al)

9 Nov v Ashdod (A) WON 1-0 (Ligat Al)

3 Nov v Juventus (H) LOST 1-0 (Champions League)

31 Oct v Maccabi Netanya (H) WON 2-0 (Ligat Al)

TEAM NEWS

Bayern Munich

Franck Ribery (patellar tendon), Breno (illness), and Luca Toni (groin), are definite absentees for Louis van Gaal’s side. Ivica Olic managed a second-half appearance against Leverkusen and should be available for at least half an hour of playing time. Arjen Robben missed the weekend match with recurring knee trouble, but may be included after a last-minute fitness test.

Possible Starting XI: Butt – Lahm, Van Buyten, Demichelis Badstuber – Mueller, Tymoshchuk, Van Bommel, Schweinsteiger – Gomez, Klose

Maccabi Haifa

Eyal Golasa (hip), Amir Edri (shoulder), Jhon Jairo Culma (hamstring), Gustavo Boccoli (thigh/groin), and Jorge Teixeira (back) have been ruled out of tomorrow’s match. Yaniv Katan (back) and Tsepo Masilela (groin) have resumed training, but will need to pass a late fitness test to feature. The latest word on Eyal Meshumar is that he will be available to play despite breaking his thumb against Ahi Nazareth, a match he completed without substitution.

Possible Starting XI: Davidovitch – Meshumar, Maimon, Keinan, Masilela – Kayal – Ottman, Katan, Rafaelov – Dvalishvili, Arbeitman

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich)

The 20-year old attacking midfielder netted a late brace in Haifa, and is Bayern’s joint top scorer. Aside from taking goals himself, Mueller is an excellent source of creativity and will take responsibility for much of his team’s playmaking. He had an uncharacteristically poor performance in Bayern’s most recent outing against Leverkusen, and will want to make amends against Haifa.

Vladimer Dvalishvili (Maccabi Haifa)

The Georgian striker, nicknamed 'Lado', is Haifa’s joint top scorer, and was his team’s hero in Champions League qualifying. In six qualifiers, he netted five goals to propel his team past Glentoran, Aktobe, and FC Salzburg. Along with Arbeitman, he will be his team’s main source of inspiration for a possible upset.

PREDICTION

Although it would not be hard to predict a scoreless draw, it’s difficult to bet against Bayern scoring at home. Despite their form, if they could manage a goal against defensive stalwarts Leverkusen, they can definitely score against Haifa. The visitors, having failed to score in the Champions League thus far, may score, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

Bayern Munich 1-0 Maccabi Haifa

Clark Whitney, Goal.com

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