Bayern Munich – Benfica

It’s time for Bayern Munich to begin its Champions League campaign once again. The Bavarian giant won’t have an easy first game, because Bayern will travel to Lisboa to meet Benfica at the Estadio da Luz in the Portuguese capital. Let’s have a look.

It has been five years without a Champions League triumph for Bayern. For the last time FC Hollywood won the competition in 2013 under the management of Jupp Heynckes. Since then, Bayern have been unable to reach the final of the competition and try to win for a 6th time. Now the club will try to do it with a new manager on board – the Croatian tactician Nico Kovac.

Last season Kovac mae a great impression with his skills, leading Eintracht Frankfurt to a DFB Pokal triumph. Now the goal in front of the Croatian manager is to do a similar thing, but with Bayern in the Champions League.

For Bayern Munich it’s something completely normal to dominate the Bundesliga. That’s why the big goal remains winning the Champions League again. The Bavarians didn’t do with Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Jupp Heynckes (again), so now Kovac will have to try.

Benfica on the other hand return to the Champions League after winning the Portuguese Primeira Liga. Benfica are a huge name in the history of European football, but it has been a long time since they have won an European trophy. To be honest, it’s going to be very difficult for them to do something like this now. But reaching the 1/8-finals of the Champions League would be a good enough achievement for them.

Despite of playing away from home, Bayern are a clear favourite against Benfica. They have the better team and they are the number one favourites for winning this group.