Atletico Madrid have been in brilliant form in the Champions League so far, as they have collected full 15 points from their five matches in the group stages, including a huge win over Bayern Munich. Atletico and Bayern are mammoth teams, and hate losing; hence Bayern will hope to take revenge for their last 0-1 loss as the two teams will face one another at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
Though both teams have progressed into the knockout stages of the competition, Bayern and Atletico will not take it easy as a victory in such a huge clash will give them further confidence in the round of 16. It is for the same reason that both the teams will be playing with a strong team with the hope of picking up three points.
Bayern have not been the usual self in this seasons' Champions League as they lost against FC Rostov in their last encounter. However, following that loss, the German club have defeated Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz 05, which should keep them in good shape ahead of their Atletico clash.
The home team will be aware that Atletico are going to be a different team altogether. Bayern, with a front three of Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller, are a dangerous attacking side with goals written all over them. Bayern will hope that these stars alongside others perform to their peak, and attain three points.
Bayern coach, Carlo Ancelotti wants to put a solid performance against Atletico. He also wants his team to take their game a notch higher in the knockout stages.
"We didn't achieve what we were hoping for [finishing top of the section], but against Atlético we want to put on a good performance. Motivation is high because we are playing such a tough opponent. We know we haven't always been at our best this season. From the knockout stages onwards we need to play much better because the standard is higher," UEFA's official website quoted Ancelotti as saying.
Atletico might not have been too impressive in the La Liga, where they have already lost three matches, but their form has been stupendous in the Champions League. The Spanish club come into this fixture with an unimpressive 0-0 draw against Espanyol (in La Liga), and they are aware of the need to perform much more better if they are to clinch yet another three points in the Champions League.
They can become the only team in the competition to reach the knockout stages having amassed all 18 points available from their six matches if the manage to beat Bayern. They know it is not going to be easy.
Diego Simeone, Atletico coach, will only have one objective when his team faces Bayern, and that is to win. They should be proud of their performance in the group stages, and top the group which had teams like Bayern and PSV Eindhoven.
"We always wanted to give ourselves the best chance of finishing top, which isn't so easy with Bayern in the group. It's not easy to go to Eindhoven and Rostov and win – but we did it. We also won our home games. Bayern are a very competitive club with a strong team. They are able to adapt and play with different systems, firstly under Josep Guardiola and now with Carlo Ancelotti. We've done a lot of analysis in preparation and of course we will try to hurt them," Simeone said.
Bayern will go full tilt at the Spanish side, who will hope to keep their stunning 100 percent win record in the Champions League this season, and head into the round of 16 confident.
Where to watch live
Bayern Munich vs Atletico Madrid is set to begin at 1.15am IST (7.45pm GMT, 8.45pm CET). Live Streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Ten 1HD. Live Streaming: Ten Sports live
Germany: TV: Sky Sports 1 HD, Sky Sports 3.
Spain: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Espana.
UK: TV: BT Sport Extra 3. Live Streaming: Watch BT Sport.
USA: TV: ESPN 2. Live Streaming: Foxsoccer2go, Watch ESPN
Canada: TV: TSN 4. Live Streaming: TSN TV.
France, Middle East, North Africa, Australia: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
