Bayern Munich and Lyon face off at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Wednesday evening with a spot in the Champions League final available to all.
German bosses Bayern whipped Barcelona 8-2 to book a spot in the semi-finals, while Lyon – seventh-put finishers in Ligue 1 – staggered Manchester City with a 3-1 win.
The champs of this tie will confront Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s conclusive.
Indeed, even before pulverizing Barcelona, Bayern were at that point the top choices of numerous to go right in the current year’s opposition and lift the European Cup for a 6th time.
In the wake of turning into the first side to score eight objectives in quite a while League knockout match, it is presently hard to see precisely which group will prevent them from winning an acclaimed high pitch.
Nineteen groups have attempted and neglected to prevent the Bavarian mammoths from winning in a run extending back to February 16.
Indeed, going further back, Hansi Flick’s men have now won 24 of their last 25 matches in all rivalries, the special case being an impasse with individual semi-finalists RB Leipzig.
The way of their devastating success over European heavyweights Barca truly was one of those ‘where were you?’ minutes, with six distinct players jumping on the scoresheet.
Significantly more great than that, every one of the eight objectives were helped by an alternate player, indicating exactly what amount assaulting profundity Bayern have in their positions.
As saw in the last round against a much-liked Man City side, however, Lyon can’t be discounted in this interesting last four standoff in Lisbon.
Dembele was twice on track for Rudi Garcia’s pariahs, including to Maxwel Cornet’s opener after Kevin De Bruyne had leveled things up.
Unbelievably, Lyon have not won continuous Champions League matches in a solitary battle since the 2011-12 season while vanquishing Dinamo Zagreb and APOEL.
Les Gones additionally took out Italian victors Juventus in the last 16, be that as it may, and will enter this match loaded with certainty.
In what could be a hint of something to look forward to for Lyon – and they will no uncertainty take whatever they can – Bayern have neglected to advance from every one of their last four semi-finals.
Bayern ended up as the winner when the sides met at this phase in the 2009-10 semis, yet with that tie being played more than two legs, in contrast to this coincidental conflict on unbiased soil.
In a one of a kind battle that has given numerous amazements, Lyon will seek after one more gigantic curve as they hope to defeat the landmass’ most in-structure side.
Lyon Champions League form: WLDWLW
Lyon’s form (all competitions): WLLLLW
Bayern Munich’s Champions League form: WWWWWW
Bayern Munich’s form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Team News
Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard returned to light training on Monday and is back in contention for this semi-final.
That may also be the case further forward, though Kingsley Coman is pushing for a recall in place of Ivan Perisic, who was one of those on target in the Barca rout.
Robert Lewandowski has scored in eight consecutive Champions League appearances for Bayern – only Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 2003 (9) and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018 (11) have scored in more successive matches in the competition’s history.
As for Lyon, Dembele will be pushing for inclusion up top after his double from the bench against City, which could mean Karl Toko Ekambi dropping out.
However, Garcia has found a system that works well, with Ekambi and Memphis Depay giving the French side a platform to hit sides on the counter.
Changes are also unlikely to be made anywhere else in the side, meaning that Maxence Caqueret, Bruno Guimaraes and Houssem Aouar will link up in midfield.
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lopes; Marcelo, Denayer, Marcal; Dubois, Caqueret, Guimaraes, Aouar, Cornet; Ekambi, Memphis
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Goretzka, Thiago; Gnabry, Muller, Coman; Lewandowsk
Champions League – Play Offs
Lyon vs Bayern Munich
Bayer win or Draw
Lyon Over 3.5 Corner
