Manchester City face one of their most challenging tasks so far this season as they take on Bayern Munich next week in the Champions League. The German champions visit the Etihad on Tuesday at the competition’s quarter-final stage, with both sides still pushing for the title in their respective leagues.
The tie is expected to be a tight one, yet City can take confidence if they look at the recent form against German opposition.
In the previous round, City came up against Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. After an underwhelming first-leg performance, ending 1-1, Pep Guardiola’s side turned on the style in the reverse fixture. Erling Haaland managed an incredible five goals, with Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne joining in on the scoring as well.
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City also faced Borussia Dortmund earlier in the group stage this season, drawing 0-0 in Germany but claiming a famous victory in the opening game of the group. After a Jude Bellingham opener, City turned the game on its head, culminating with a superb acrobatic finish from Haaland.
Going back to last season, it was RB Leipzig again who came up against The Sky Blues. Despite losing 2-1 against the German side at the Red Bull Arena, City entertained home fans to a 6-3 thriller in the opening game of the group stage. It was a night to remember for Jack Grealish, who bagged his first goal in the Champions League as his side ran riot.
In 2021, City faced German opposition twice in the knockout stages. First came Borussia Monchengladbach whom Guardiola’s side swept aside, winning both legs 2-0. In the next round came Dortmund, proving to be a much sterner test. Phil Foden shone throughout the tie, scoring the winner in both legs as City went through 4-2 on aggregate.
Even further back in 2018/19, Manchester City once again faced two German sides. In the group stage, they proved too much for Hoffenheim, winning both games 2-1.
Schalke were up next in the round of 16, and provided City with a tough game in the first leg. After going 2-1 ahead, an incredible free kick from Leroy Sane and then an equally brilliant finish via Raheem Sterling gave City a slender lead in the tie. Guardiola’s side then ran riot in the reverse game, coming out 7-0 on top.
In fact, prior to the defeat against Leipzig last season, the last time City lost to a German team in the Champions League was against Bayern Munich, all the way back in 2014. Despite losing 1-0 in Munich, Sergio Aguero famously bagged a hattrick two months later at the Etihad, securing an iconic comeback win against the German side, who were then managed by none other than Guardiola himself.
Since that 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in September 2014, City have played 19 games against German teams. The statistics are impressive, with 15 wins, three draws and just one defeat. Can Manchester City continue this fine form against Bundesliga teams and progress past the German champions this time round?
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