Overview
Bayern Munich is rated higher than Atalanta before the round of 16 match, but even coach Vincent Kompany can hardly imagine his team taking such a big advantage, especially in the context of Harry Kane being rested.
Instead of losing attacking power when Nicolas Jackson led the attack, the "Bayern" exploded with 6 goals right at the Bergamo stadium. Michael Olise shone with a double and one assist, while Jackson and Serge Gnabry contributed one goal and one assist each.
That devastating victory helped Bayern have an almost irreversible advantage, and only an unprecedented collapse could cause them to lose a ticket to the next round at the Allianz Arena.
Kompany may even continue to rest Kane in the second leg, meaning Jackson may be given more chances to start, despite the fact that he just received a direct red card in the match against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.
In the match at BayArena, when Bayern was 0-1 behind, Jackson was sent off before halftime for a dangerous tackle, putting his team in a difficult position. Although Luis Diaz then scored the equalizer, he was also sent off, causing Bayern to end the match with only 9 players.
It is still a matter of waiting to see if Jackson and Diaz face internal disciplinary action, but that will hardly affect Bayern's impressive performance in the European arena this season. The Bavarian team has won all home matches and has advanced in 28/29 matches in the last two legs after winning the first leg away from home.
In the opposite direction, Atalanta understands that they are facing an almost impossible challenge if they want to create one of the biggest comebacks in Champions League history.
The 1-6 defeat to Bayern was "La Dea"'s heaviest defeat in the continental arena, equal to the 0-5 defeat to Liverpool in the 2020-2021 season, and also the first time they conceded 6 goals in this arena.
However, coach Raffaele Palladino's team still showed fighting spirit when drawing 1-1 with Inter Milan in Serie A. After being penetrated by Francesco Pio Esposito early in the net, Atalanta resolutely resisted and found an equalizer thanks to Nikola Krstovic in the final minutes.
However, this result is not enough to help Atalanta improve their position as they are 7 points behind the top 4 and are facing the risk of missing out on the Champions League next season. Atalanta has also not won in the last 5 matches and traveled to Munich with unstable form, raising big questions about their ability to create surprises at the Allianz Arena.
Personnel situation
Bayern Munich is facing a crisis in goal, as Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich are both absent, and Jonas Urbig's ability to play is still uncertain. In that context, 16-year-old talent Leonard Prescott may be given the opportunity to debut for the first team.
Jamal Musiala's condition will be further assessed, but Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito are definitely absent due to injury. Meanwhile, two key players Michael Olise and Joshua Kimmich will be suspended due to receiving enough yellow cards.
On Atalanta's side, the away team did not suffer significant personnel losses. Only Giacomo Raspadori was absent due to a thigh injury, while Yunus Musah was suspended after receiving a yellow card in the first leg.
The Serie A representative's attack scored quite evenly in the European arena this season, with Mario Pasalic, Lazar Samardzic and Gianluca Scamacca each scoring 3 goals.
Expected lineup:
Bayern Munich: Prescott, Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer, Goretzka, Pavlovic, Karl, Gnabry, Diaz, Jackson.
Carnesecchi, Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac, Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi, De Ketelaere, Zalewski, Krstovic.
The match between Bayern Munich and Atalanta takes place at 3:00 AM on March 19 (Vietnam time).
