The UEFA Champions League draw have never been better as Bundesliga giants FC Bayern München are scheduled to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 25 February, the first leg of UCL in the round of 16.
Let’s recount the moment between the two sides.
History
Fans of both clubs around the world will remember their encounter back in May 2012, as Chelsea took home the Champions League trophy, a painful memory for Bayern as they were defeated on their home soil, Allianz Arena.
However, Bayern quickly recovered from the defeat as they were victorious in the Champions League against rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern did get a revenge when they beat Chelsea to become a UEFA Super Cup 2013 champions.
The line-up
FC Bayern has led the Bundesliga in terms of goalscoring record and shots so far this season, and all eyes will be on the prolific Robert Lewandowski who once again has lighted up the Bundesliga scoring charts.
He will be supported by the in-form Thomas Muller who leads the team in assists. It is also worth mentioning that in a comparison of the top five leagues in Europe, the Bundesliga provides the matches with the most goals, averaging 3.2 goals per match.
While Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka will be the key players in Bayern’s high-intensity gegenpressing style of play and will be expected to provide support to centre back Jerome Boateng and David Alaba.
19-year-old Alphonso Davies is an example of how the Bundesliga, has embraced youthful talent, and has not looked out of place at the left side of the Bayern defence, with Benjamin Pavard providing support on the other flank.
For Chelsea, their manager Frank Lampard, who captained Chelsea in that victorious night in Munich, returns to face Bayern this season.
What went down
The last time these two giants of European football met in the Champions League, Chelsea’s talismanic striker Didier Drogba delivered the telling blows against Bayern, sealing the deal for Chelsea in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final.
Chelsea was seemingly condemned to defeat that night with Thomas Mueller’s goal in the 83rd minute, but five minutes later, from Chelsea’s only corner of the night, Didier Drogba rescued Chelsea with a goal and went on to score the decisive penalty to win the Champions League final for Chelsea.
While Drogba has since retired from football, Thomas Mueller remains an integral part of this FC Bayern side, who are looking to win their sixth UCL.
What to expect
After winning six out of six group stage matches, making them only the seventh team to achieve this feat, and scoring 24 goals in the process, Bayern will be the favorites in this tie against Chelsea.
Team captain Manuel Neuer still mans the posts for FC Bayern, and he is in an upbeat mood.
“We’re looking forward to London, where we’ve had some good experiences.
“We’re happy with the draw but they’re a dangerous team, we have to take very seriously and approach with concentration.”
But much like the 2012 UCL final they have to be wary of a dangerous and youthful Chelsea side capable of pulling surprises.
In Bundesliga, Bayern are leading the title race but their fellow UCL contenders Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are making it the most difficult Bundesliga title race in recent memory.
Dortmund and Leipzig are set to face Paris Saint-Germain, and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
Bayern will travel to FC Koln for away game and face Paderborn at Allianz Arena before meeting Chelsea.
While Chelsea had to face two tough opponents as they play both Man United and Spurs, before meeting Bayern at Stamford Bridge.