Bayern Munich are already through to the UEFA Champions League last 16 as Group A winners
Bayern Munich are already through to the UEFA Champions League last 16 as Group A winners, but that won’t stop Harry Kane and Co. from doing what they do best when Copenhagen visit the Allianz Arena on Wednesday
Kane’s 18 goals have helped Bayern off to an unbeaten start in the Bundesliga, with the 10th win from 12 games coming on Friday night in Cologne thanks to his solitary strike in the first half. The England captain is also going at a goal a game for his new club in the Champions League, including a match-winning brace last time out against Galatasaray that secured top spot in Group A and progress to the knockout stage for Thomas Tuchel’s men. The Bundesliga champions have already won 2-1 in Copenhagen as well as beating Manchester United 4-3 and leaving Istanbul with a 3-1 victory that leaves them on course for a third perfect group stage in as many years and fourth time overall – no other club has done so more than twice. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting got the nod ahead of Thomas Müller in the injury-enforced absence of Jamal Musiala against Cologne, but the Raumdeuter is a candidate to start what would be his 146th Champions League appearance. Alphonso Davies was an unused sub in the league and will likely to come in too, freeing up Konrad Laimer to challenge Joshua Kimmich or Leon Goretzka in midfield. Raphaël Guerreiro will also be hopeful of some minutes if he returns from injury in time.
Copenhagen also beat Man United 4-3 last matchday to get their first win of this Champions League campaign and open up the race for second place behind Bayern. The Danish champions currently occupy the other qualifying spot on four points, ahead of Galatasaray on goal difference and one point above United in fourth. It’s, therefore, still all to play for in the chasing pack. Jacob Neestrup’s side are top of their domestic league, spearheaded by the 10 goals of 18-year-old top scorer Roony Bardghji. Striker Jordan Larsson joined in the summer from Schalke, while goalkeeper Kamil Grabara is going the other way at the end of the season as he joins Wolfsburg.
Match stats
- Kane is averaging a goal every 65 minutes in all competitions so far in 2023/24.
- Leroy Sané has made his best start to a season, with nine goals and seven assists across his first 20 competitive games.
- Manuel Neuer has kept 54 clean sheets in 132 Champions League appearances for Bayern and boyhood club Schalke.
- Bayern are unbeaten in 38 Champions League group games, winning their last 17 in a row – both outright competition records.
- The six-time winners have won 27 of their previous 28 home group games. Their last home defeat in the group stage was on 10 December 2013 (3-2 against Manchester City).
- Tuchel’s team have scored 11 goals in this season’s competition. Only Atletico Madrid and Manchester City have more after four rounds of fixtures (12).
Probable teams
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Mazraoui, Upamecano, Kim, Davies – Kimmich, Goretkza – Sané, Müller, Coman – Kane
Out: Buchmann (thigh), De Ligt (knee)
Doubtful: Guerreiro (thigh), Musiala (hamstring)
Coach: Thomas Tuchel
Copenhagen: Grabara – Ankersen, Vavro, Diks, Jelert – Lerager, Falk, Gonçalves – Elyounoussi, Claesson (c), Achouri
Out: Clem (broken foot), Khocholava (knee)
Doubtful: –
Coach: Jacob Neestrup
