Bayern Munich is playing a dangerous game. Football is often all about
momentum and since winning the Bundesliga in late March, Pep Guardiola's
side has been desperately disappointing.
Saturday's labored 2-0 win at bottom club Eintracht Braunschweig
was more of the same. Two goals in the last 15 minutes from Claudio
Pizarro and Mario Mandzukic gave Bayern what was a comfortable cushion
in the end. In truth, however, the scoreline flattered the champions and
a similar showing on Wednesday will likely leave their Champions League
hopes hanging in the balance.
Guardiola has never lost at the
Santiago Bernabeu as coach and will prepare with precision and attention
to detail for Wednesday's match, but Real Madrid approaches the
European clash on a high after claiming the Copa del Rey this week.
Bayern, by comparison, has recently resembled a pale shadow of the side
which swept to a stunning treble under Jupp Heynckes in 2012-13.
After
sealing the Bundesliga crown last term, Heynckes' team remained
relentless, thrashing Nurnberg 4-0, then hammering Hannover 6-1 in a run
of six wins and a draw (at Borussia Dortmund) in its final seven league
matches. It also beat in-form Juventus 2-0 away from home to seal a
place in the Champions League semifinals with a 4-0 aggregate success.
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