Bavarian Football Works - 2020-21 Champions League Round of 16 Draw: All updates + timelineManufacturing goals in the German tradition, for domestic consumption and for export.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47275/bavarian-fave.png2020-12-15T14:05:00+01:00http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/rss/stream/219372212020-12-15T14:05:00+01:002020-12-15T14:05:00+01:00Bad takes exposed: Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski disrespected in Italy
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<img alt="FC Bayern Muenchen v Eintracht Frankfurt - Bundesliga" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/azuOdUP6t7BD7k3wNeOnEdeBVHs=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68515198/1229251739.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Lukas Barth-Tuttas - Pool/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Hot take nation is not limited to the United States, as Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski fell victim to verbal nonsense emanating from Italy. </p> <p id="jLU8Fx">If you tune into any sports network programming during the day, you are no stranger to bad takes being hurled about freely and unintelligently. There are many athletes who are subjects of these awful “opinions” and now we can add <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a>’s Robert Lewandowski to that list. </p>
<p id="uS2mQx">Typically, “hot take” shows that revolve around this format just have two or three...or even four people just spewing nonsense. It now appears that we have found Italy’s answer to “First Take” or “Undisputed.”</p>
<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="FC Bayern Muenchen v Eintracht Frankfurt - Bundesliga" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EOm8Zsho2zjBXW5-ImNQbAb5npw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22171533/1229259422.jpg">
<figcaption>Doing his best impression of Sesame Street character The Count, Robert Lewandowski just found “Three! Three bad takes...AH! AH! AH!”</figcaption>
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<p id="S4cEIX"><a href="https://www.football-italia.net/163497/vieri-%E2%80%98lewandowski-wouldn%E2%80%99t-score-much-lukaku-inter%E2%80%99">Football Italia</a> captured former Italy striker Christian Vieri adding his name to list of clowns blowing rubbish from his pie hole. Specifically, Vieri went down this road with Lewandowski, who many smart people consider the best striker in the world: </p>
<p id="XMcf7h">“If (<a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com">Inter Milan</a> striker Romelu) Lukaku would play for Bayern Munich he’d score as many goals as Lewandowski,” Vieri said. “But Lewa would not score as much if he played for Inter.” </p>
<p id="gZVtme">The bad takes, however, did not stop there. </p>
<p id="SSKpcD">“I think Lukaku is better than Harry Kane,” said Nicola Ventola, who was also part of the “expert” panel. </p>
<p id="4e6tOD">More, Antonio Cassano threw his hat into the awful take mix with this gem as he said that Lautaro Martinez is “Five times better than Lukaku. He is a mix between Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero. You can’t compare Lukaku with these two sacred monsters (Tevez and Aguero).”</p>
<p id="d8ZekV">I don’t even want to try and compute the “bad take math” on this. </p>
<p id="JZdCmI">Anyway, carry on with your day knowing that anything you say can’t possible be as embarrassing as some of those opinions.</p>
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https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/12/15/22175964/bayern-munich-robert-lewandowski-romelu-lukaku-harry-kane-lautaro-martinez-thomas-muller-david-alabaCSmith19192020-12-14T21:15:00+01:002020-12-14T21:15:00+01:00Bayern Munich players and staff react to drawing Lazio in the Champions League
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<img alt="FC Bayern Muenchen v FC Schalke 04 - Bundesliga" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OGoAB7LLztKHtKfb3XhqMOFDTzg=/0x0:3784x2523/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68511828/1228587368.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Well, we avoided some of the other super teams in the draw, for starters.</p> <p id="M3g2hW"><a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> has been drawn to face Lazio in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> round of 16. By drawing the Serie A club, Bayern avoided FC Porto, Barcelona, Sevilla, and Atalanta. </p>
<p id="lUHg8m">Lazio is a relative newcomer to the Champions League knockout stages, so Bayern arguably got a more favorable draw, especially considering their recent history against La Liga sides in the knockout stages. All things considered, there’s still no easy task in the knockout stages of the Champions League and some of Bayern’s players and staff members echoed that thought when reflecting on the results of the draw <a href="https://fcbayern.com/de/news/2020/12/stimmen-zur-auslosung-des-achtelfinals-in-der-champions-league-fc-bayern-vs.-lazio-rom">(FCBayern.com</a>).</p>
<p id="kJzKcV">Thomas Muller was able to watch Lazio’s group stage matchups against fellow Bundesliga outfit <a href="https://www.fearthewall.com">Borussia Dortmund</a> and he knows how efficient they can be in the attack.</p>
<p id="fgdmjs">“Lazio were in Dortmund’s group, so I watched the games,” said Muller. “They are an opponent who can be uncomfortable to play offensively, especially with Immobile. We’re looking forward to the next round. Rome is a beautiful city & we had good experiences there against <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com">AS Roma</a>.” </p>
<p id="qPoIIA">Of course, Muller was referencing Bayern’s 7-1 win in Roma in the 2014/2015 Champions League group stages. </p>
<p id="AYsiuC">Manuel Neuer also warned of Ciro Immobile and Lazio’s attacking prowess, but still feels that Bayern are the favorites to advance to the quarterfinals. </p>
<p id="AJ2ocH">“Lazio are a strong team, but we’re favorites. They have great attackers. We know how dangerous Ciro Immobile is,” Neuer stated. “Lewy is definitely looking forward to this duel and I will prepare well for him as a goalkeeper.” </p>
<p id="uFC3to">Neuer also continued by saying, “We have fond memories of the stadium, where we won by a very big score against AS Roma. Miroslav Klose also played at Lazio. So we can look forward to the game. We want to win and advance to the next round.”</p>
<p id="4DwTk9">Of course, as Neuer alluded to, Miroslav Klose spent five years of his playing career at Lazio, so he’s very familiar with the club. He said that a lot of his friends from Rome have already contacted him about the draw and that they won’t be an easy task for Bayern to get past.</p>
<p id="PaDu7S">“A lot of guys from Rome have already contacted me” said Klose. “I’m really happy, it was of course my desired opponent. I have a lot of ties with this club and this city. They’re a dangerous team with a 5-3-2 system under Inzaghi, who was my coach for a short time. It won’t be an easy task for us. We will analyze them well and draw our conclusions.”</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="SS Lazio v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nj1AaJIXPYhHqMtJX9wzA4ThRws=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22169557/531642958.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="uypdrD">Hansi Flick struck a diplomatic tone when reacting to drawing Lazio, as expected. He’s never going to look past any opponent or underestimate them. </p>
<p id="kk4JGs">“We are happy with the draw. It’s not easy to play against Italian teams. It’s of course a special game for Miro, we are happy for him. It’s going to be an exciting tie. We saw the games in the group stage and were able to get a first impression,” Flick said.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="KMTI7K">
<p id="KIhVFe"><strong>The Other Round of 16 Draws:</strong></p>
<p id="XvtrI5">RB Leipzig - Liverpool</p>
<p id="5SOQ6M">Paris-Saint Germain - Barcelona</p>
<p id="Crau4o">Sevilla - Borussia Dortmund</p>
<p id="szIZi6">Borussia Monchengladbach - <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a></p>
<p id="RrSjMj">FC Porto - <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a></p>
<p id="uiFgMs">Atalanta - <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com">Real Madrid</a></p>
<p id="NVUyP1"><a href="https://www.intothecalderon.com">Atletico Madrid</a> - Chelsea </p>
<p id="qv46I9"> </p>
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https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/12/14/22174097/bayern-munich-players-staff-reactions-draw-lazio-champions-league-round-of-16-neuer-muller-flickTomAdams712020-12-14T16:30:00+01:002020-12-14T16:30:00+01:00Going Immobile: Can Bayern Munich’s defenders stop Lazio hitman Ciro Immobile?
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<img alt="Football Champions League match 6 Lazio-Club Brugge" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nLWnAnHIbYWw-WI16oRIIBfpCzI=/0x0:3543x2362/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68509548/1290260972.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Lazio striker Ciro Immobile will square off with Bayern Munich’s talented back-line. Who wins that battle likely determines who wins the Champions League tie.</p> <p id="1L59IT">There is no denying that <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a>’s defense has been much maligned of late. </p>
<p id="fkvCvL">Hansi Flick’s high line has come under criticism as momentary lapses and a sometimes-troublesome lack of awareness have hampered the extremely talented group of defenders.</p>
<p id="yqvSaz">Bayern Munich has allowed 14 goals in its last 11 games across all competitions and has shown signs of being susceptible to quick counter-attacks. If not for some superb performances from Manuel Neuer, some would argue Bayern Munich could have lost at least two or three of those fixtures in that 11-game stretch.</p>
<p id="XZAp5l">There is a litany of reasons that the unit has struggled at times over the course of this season. Mostly, though, the group has not had much of a chance to develop much cohesion thanks to injuries and heavy rotation. Others have speculated that players like David Alaba and Jerome Boateng have been distracted at times due to their respective contract situations, which could see both players exit Bavaria after this season.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="SS Lazio v Hellas Verona FC - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f84IC3L4Tpo7YbVD3PdDJxGMK80=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22168688/1290913665.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>This was no doubt Ciro Immobile’s same reaction when see his squad drew Bayern Munich in the Champions League. </figcaption>
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<p id="2MPQft">Whatever the case, Bayern Munich’s back-line will square-off against Lazio in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> round of 16 and specifically will have to manage the Italian club’s high-scoring striker, Ciro Immobile.</p>
<p id="G5yY6w">Immobile has 11 goals and two assists in 13 games across all competitions this season, but even as potent a striker as he is, the 30-year-old acknowledged that <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/12/9/22165360/bayern-munich-liverpool-ss-lazio-champions-league-knockouts-ucl-lewandowski-ronaldo-immobile">he would rather not face Bayern Munich so early</a> in the Champions League process. Unfortunately for Immobile and Lazio, the draw did the Italy international no favors. </p>
<p id="ERyJw5">However he feels, Immobile still presents a staunch challenge to the Bavarian back-line. Bayern Munich, though, is not short on defensive talent and should present Immobile with his most difficult match-up so far.</p>
<p id="mPshuB">No matter who Flick uses among Niklas Süle, David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, Benjamin Pavard, Lucas Hernandez, and Alphonso Davies, Immobile will face a mix of physical strength and pace that he has not often had to face — if ever.</p>
<p id="5BpzVX">In addition, Joshua Kimmich will be back roaming the central midfield, which should help stabilize things in front of the back-four.</p>
<p id="ehMNjj">Should Bayern Munich fans respect Immobile? Absolutely. Should they doubt the ability of Flick’s team to stop him? Nope.</p>
<p id="ND9iZC">Sure, there is plenty of time between now and kickoff, and just about anything can happen, but if there is ever a team equipped to deal with Immobile it will be Bayern Munich. And while some will lament the inconsistent form of the Bayern Munich defense, the Bavarian back-line is aware of the “red light.”</p>
<p id="lqfRgb">When this group needs to lockdown and be clutch, they will absolutely do it. </p>
<p id="CZkifp">Flick would not let it happen any other way. </p>
<aside id="7ArJqp"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Golden Boot winner Ciro Immobile wary of Bayern and Liverpool in knockouts","url":"https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/12/9/22165360/bayern-munich-liverpool-ss-lazio-champions-league-knockouts-ucl-lewandowski-ronaldo-immobile"}]}'></div></aside><p id="chaKXz"></p>
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https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/12/14/22173832/bayern-munich-lazio-ciro-immobile-niklas-sule-david-alaba-jerome-boateng-alphonso-davies-lucasCSmith19192020-12-14T12:35:10+01:002020-12-14T12:35:10+01:00Confirmed: Bayern Munich will face Lazio in the Champions League Round of 16
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<img alt="SS Lazio v Club Brugge - UEFA Champions League Group F" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Uzpx28V53KGNHibipyerSbpI9WQ=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68508432/1230020374.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The games begin in February. May the best team win, as long as it’s Bayern. </p> <p id="8fWk3j">It’s confirmed! <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> will face Lazio in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> Round of 16! The defending champions travel to Rome in February before the return leg in Germany in March. It’s a decent draw for Bayern, who avoid a heavyweight team like Sevilla or Barcelona — although it’s far from ideal. </p>
<p id="ahI3HK">Chief among the threats in Lazio’s repertoire is Ciro Immobile. While Bayern fans will remember him as a meme from his time at <a href="https://www.fearthewall.com">Borussia Dortmund</a>, the Italian has been amazing in his stint at the Italian capital — even beating our own Robert Lewandowski to the Golden Boot last season, despite the best efforts of Thomas Muller behind him. While not as prolific as last season, he’s the danger-man on Simone Inzaghi’s side. </p>
<p id="RkdNJS">Lazio alreay beat and drew Borussia Dortmund over two legs this season, so they’re no pushovers. Bayern Munich will have to be in peak condition to beat them — hopefully Hansi Flick has something planned. Meanwhile, here are the rest of the draws:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Round of 16 draw ✔️<br><br>Which tie are you most excited for? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/M6AqMYTygN">pic.twitter.com/M6AqMYTygN</a></p>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1338445724669841410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2020</a>
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<p id="oshxf5">Every German team got terrible draws. Monchengladbach have no chance of beating <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a>, Leipzig will need a miracle to get past Liverpool, while Dortmund have a very slim chance of making it past Sevilla. There is a very real chance that Germany will be down to just one UCL team after the Ro16 is concluded. What a shame — the league was having a great year in Europe. </p>
<p id="hFujIm">Well, at least Bayern are there to keep the hope alive. We’ve apparently never faced Lazio before, so it’ll be a learning experience! Hope Hansi and the boys are ready for the games in February. </p>
<div id="4yjO4e"><div data-anthem-component="poll:10225962"></div></div>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/12/14/22173775/bayern-munich-confirmed-will-face-lazio-champions-league-round-of-16-muller-immobile-lewandowskiIneednoname2020-12-14T11:00:00+01:002020-12-14T11:00:00+01:00Champions League Round of 16 draw: Discussion and Live Thread
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<img alt="Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3h-pYLI4b8LKhtJkM2UYtxKptxE=/16x0:4668x3101/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68508265/1268079770.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Matt Childs/Pool via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Who will the defending champs face in the Ro16? Let’s find out!</p> <p id="oLegGU">It’s that time of the year again, where we wait patiently to find out who <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> will face in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> round of 16. The draw takes place at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, and Bayern will be one of the seeded teams that finished first in their group. </p>
<p id="q5ujD2">Here are Bayern’s potential opponents:</p>
<ul>
<li id="kh5w9C">Lazio (ITA)</li>
<li id="pE3clV">Atalanta (ITA)</li>
<li id="Nl77fA">Porto (POR)</li>
<li id="Kzq5ot">Sevilla (ESP)</li>
<li id="wwiGU4">Barcelona (ESP)</li>
</ul>
<p id="FM7pec"><strong>Rules for the draw:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="vwE1zO">You cannot draw a team from the same country.</li>
<li id="aN3Ra1">You cannot draw a team that was in the same group.</li>
</ul>
<p id="ZSZMAV"><strong>Draw Probabilities:</strong></p>
<div id="uz6q9b">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The exact calculated (not simulated) probabilities for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> round of 16 draw, rounded to 3 decimal places, using combinatorics and probability. We will tweet updated probabilities with every ball that is drawn during the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> on Monday 12pm CET. <a href="https://t.co/zrQC19e9ST">pic.twitter.com/zrQC19e9ST</a></p>— BayernForum.com (@BayernForumCom) <a href="https://twitter.com/BayernForumCom/status/1336932378795794432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="DNQsCy">Discuss the draw with like-minded Bayern fans below. Have fun!</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="WJAdmh">
<h2 id="xxa09E">Draw Info</h2>
<p id="NvVl4y"><strong>Location: </strong>UEFA Headquarters, Nyon, Switzerland</p>
<p id="LsNbM2"><strong>Time:</strong> 12:00 CET</p>
<p id="G7w9Id"><strong>TV/streaming: </strong><a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/draws/"><strong>uefa.com</strong></a></p>
<p id="JET4CY"><strong>Tips for commenting:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li id="lBqE3X">If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself. We’re <s>mostly</s> very friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog.</li>
<li id="BxGKpD">SBN is a little slow to show new comments. Refresh the page regularly to keep up with the discussion, especially after goals.</li>
<li id="4BBhRL">While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.</li>
</ol>
<p id="OjEvls">Check out our <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2017/8/24/16156910/welcome-to-bavarian-football-works">beginners thread</a> if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!</p>
<p id="vsRy4P"><strong>Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Sign up for an SBNation account and </strong><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/signup?community_id=398&return_to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bavarianfootballworks.com%2F"><strong>join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works</strong></a><strong>. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news or something completely different, we have it all.</strong></p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/12/14/22173171/bayern-munich-champions-league-round-of-16-draw-live-thread-barcelona-lazio-atalanta-porto-sevillaIneednoname2020-12-14T00:15:29+01:002020-12-14T00:15:29+01:00Analyzing Bayern Munich’s possible opponents in the Champions League Round of 16
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<img alt="The Top European Football Club Badges" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QXHuDsfdppkZMNPXDBin6s9p1qg=/0x0:5101x3401/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68504553/1281299941.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Visionhaus</figcaption>
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<p>The Round of 16 draw takes place on Monday. Who can the defending champions face?</p> <p id="o6KMfi">It’s that time of the year again, where we look at who <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> might face in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> Round of 16. Writing this after a disappointing draw against Union Berlin, it would be easy to get bogged down in negativity and talk about how all the potential draws are terrible and why they’ll destroy Bayern the first chance they get. </p>
<p id="0dOchF">So that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Strap in.</p>
<h2 id="jdNybx">Option #1: Lazio</h2>
<p id="PzAtkt"><strong>League position: </strong>8th<br><strong>Goals scored:</strong> 17<br><strong>Goals conceded:</strong> 19</p>
<p id="GorAVU">First up is a relative newcomer to the UCL knockouts, S.S. Lazio. Coached by Simone Inzaghi, the denizens of the Italian capital have become a force to be reckoned with in recent years, mounting a title challenge against <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a> in the 2019-20 season (before lockdown killed their momentum). Star striker Ciro Immobile was in red-hot form last season, and he remains their top scorer.</p>
<p id="D8Tpmw">Inconsistency is the bane of this Lazio side, as they lack the effective depth or quality to mount a sustained push for trophies. They already have 4 losses in the league this season, and failed to top their group despite winning and drawing against <a href="https://www.fearthewall.com">Borussia Dortmund</a> over two legs. In a knockout tournament, though, they can be effective. Lazio can occasionally punch above their weight, as shown in their draws against BVB and Juve this season. This wouldn’t be a tie that Bayern could sleepwalk through, but those kinds of draws don’t really exist anymore. The UCL is packed with quality teams these days, and Lazio is no exception. </p>
<h2 id="GUJ1TQ">Option #2: Porto</h2>
<p id="Yso97j"><strong>League position:</strong> 3rd<br><strong>Goals scored:</strong> 23<br><strong>Goals conceded:</strong> 13</p>
<p id="jJf3DO">Being the only team on this list hailing from a non top-4 league, FC Porto are a difficult opponent to pin down. They came second in a group with <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a>, managing to draw Pep Gudiola’s Blues at home (against a heavily rotated side, to be fair). A healthy Bayern should be able to make short work of them at the Allianz Arena. The away leg in Portugal could end in a draw or a loss, but Hansi Flick and his men should expect to see themselves through outside of exceptional circumstances. Of course, given that the team can’t even beat Union Berlin at the moment ...</p>
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<img alt="FC Bayern Munich v FC Sevilla: UEFA Super Cup 2020" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aIn8K_PLE3aOF8WgNSS2ElmcR0U=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22165586/1276521235.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>More Javi heroics incoming?</figcaption>
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<h2 id="n49W01">Option #3: Sevilla</h2>
<p id="hCMvtR"><strong>League position: </strong>5th<br><strong>Goals scored:</strong> 13<br><strong>Goals conceded:</strong> 9</p>
<p id="5K03bS">5th in La Liga with a game in hand (they could finish the matchday in 4th), Sevilla are trying their hand at the Champions League this season, after crushing the Europa League underfoot for so many years. Bayern already faced them in the UEFA Super Cup earlier in the season, where the Spaniards made life hell for Hansi Flick and his men. </p>
<p id="m8jCAU">Sevilla know how to play against Bayern. They have a solid defense and the technical ability to play past the press and strike Bayern on the counter. Back in September, they held a healthy Bayern to a draw over 90 minutes of football, only faltering in extra time. They have an average record against top teams this season, losing badly to Chelsea and failing to beat weakened <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com">Real Madrid</a> and Barcelona sides. However, their playstyle makes them a tough opponent, even when they don’t win. </p>
<p id="DwzVc7">Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui will doubtless have a revamped plan if he gets a second crack at the Bavarians, so this is one draw Hansi Flick will be looking to avoid. </p>
<p id="iC6y7M">Anyone but Sevilla, please. </p>
<h2 id="MPH0SU">Option #4: Atalanta</h2>
<p id="nJAMHR"><strong>League position:</strong> 9th<br><strong>Goals scored:</strong> 18<br><strong>Goals conceded:</strong> 16</p>
<p id="hDmAvD">Atalanta were the hipsters’ darling team last season, playing an attractive brand of fast-paced, free scoring football under coach Gian Piero Gasperini. However, the team’s humble origins give them a distinct disadvantage in the knockout stages of the Champions League, as they barely have the squad depth to compete in more than a single competition at a time. Similar to Lazio, fixture congestion has driven a wedge of inconsistency into a finely tuned Italian machine, which can be a death sentence in the Champions League. </p>
<p id="gtc90u">However, Atalanta are fearsome opponents on their day. They beat Ajax to make it to the knockouts this year, and smashed Liverpool in a game that Jurgen Klopp probably didn’t see coming. Rumors exist of tensions between coach Gasperini and his players, which could become a larger problem in the coming months. But they are a formidable opponent and not to be taken lightly, especially given Bayern’s defensive problems this season. It only takes one goal to turn a tie on its head, and Bayern are prone to conceding first lately. </p>
<h2 id="2OpZ6z">Option #5: Barcelona</h2>
<p id="oLqHnJ"><strong>League position:</strong> 9th<br><strong>Goals scored: </strong>20<br><strong>Goals conceded:</strong> 11 </p>
<p id="YcIjdA">Barca fans will probably 8-2 hear this, but they’re one of the weakest teams left in the Champions League at the moment. The Catalans are a mess from top to bottom — their finances are a sham, the club president resigned after a Vote of No Confidence, and star man Leo Messi wants out of the team. </p>
<p id="xGSCVy">Speaking of Messi, his production has declined significantly compared to previous years. Argentina’s Little Magician is no longer capable of singlehandedly pulling Barca through a jam, which is what’s led to their sorry state on the pitch. Why this is happening is anyone’s guess. Some might say it’s because of the failure to replace Luis Suarez, who was sold in the summer. Others say that Ronald Koeman’s tactics don’t fit Messi’s playstyle, or that age is catching up to him. Maybe it’s a little bit of everything. </p>
<p id="Dlflyz">Regardless, Barca right now is in an even worse position than they were when Bayern beat them 8-2. With fans likely to still be banned from stadiums in February 2021 (the timing of the first leg), Barca can’t even leverage their stellar home record in the UCL to save them. While it might not be a cakewalk, especially if Messi has one of those days, Hansi’s Bayern should fancy their chances against Barca over two legs. </p>
<p id="lLlRdK"><em>The UCL draw will take place on Monday, 14 December at 12 pm CET. Keep an eye on </em><a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/"><em>Bavarian Football Works</em></a><em> for a live draw thread, plus instant news and reactions. </em></p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/12/13/22171090/bayern-munich-analysis-champions-league-round-of-16-draw-barcelona-lazio-sevilla-porto-atalantaIneednoname2020-12-12T13:00:00+01:002020-12-12T13:00:00+01:00BFW roundtable: Who is Bayern Munich’s worst possible Champions League draw?
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<img alt="Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s4qrUtGZoxPaclUbGCi3Oxjn0x4=/0x0:2257x1505/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68501094/975800932.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Find out which team BFW’s writers don’t want Bayern to match up against in the Champions League. Lionel Messi’s Barcelona? A gritty Sevilla side?</p> <p id="wejk3J"><a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> are into the next round of the UEFA <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> and their future opponents will be revealed during Monday’s Ro16 draw. The Bavarians will be favorites for any tie posed at them. However, it could be said that some are harder than others. Bayern’s potential opponents are Barcelona, Atalanta, Lazio, Sevilla and Porto. Therefore, I asked some BFW staffers to detail who they thought was the least favorable draw for Bayern and why. </p>
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<h2 id="4p15ra">Josh Tobolt — Atalanta</h2>
<p id="9YzLZJ">As for who I think is the least favorable, that would have to be Atalanta. I know we are probable to get Barcelona, but they have been struggling all season long. They struggled vs. <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a> and even though they won the first leg in matchday 2, 2-0, that was without Ronaldo and Messi, respectively. While Messi will always be a threat, they’re a clear step below Bayern. Atalanta, on the other hand, is the biggest offensive threat that Bayern’s rocky defense could face. I would put Atalanta as the biggest concern going into the Round of 16.</p>
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<h2 id="LDFjA8">Fergus — Sevilla</h2>
<p id="4BcMd3">I think that Sevilla is probably the hardest draw and therefore, the one I would like least that Bayern got. As we saw in the UEFA Supercup, the Spanish outfit are structured, hard to break down and can counter Bayern’s system to a good effect — out of all potential teams, Sevilla are the only ones I really see causing Bayern problems over two legs. All other potential opponents have serious and visible issues. So, this is most definitely the fixture where Bayern has the highest chance of being sent packing. That said, I would still expect a convincing win for the Bavarians over two legs. </p>
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<h2 id="TzzSJF">Schnitzel01 — Sevilla</h2>
<p id="KRsgzV">Bayern can definitely beat Sevilla, and quite comfortably at that over two legs. Why I wouldn’t want the team to face Sevilla is because of the physical, gritty brand of football they play. I’m just concerned our players will get over-exerted and we might even have to face an injury or two, which wouldn’t be great with the QFs and important BuLi games looming. So yeah, Sevilla is a hard pass for me.</p>
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<h2 id="cCaC5l">Marcus Iredahl — <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com">FC Barcelona</a>
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<p id="igHPU3">I will be boring and say FC Barcelona because of the sole reason that by the time round of 16 comes around, they might have a new coach and be heading towards a different, more positive, direction. They’ve been abysmal this year and need a complete turn around to be considered any threat in the later stages of the Champions League. But that can happen, especially considering Barcelona’s size and player material. It happened to Bayern last year. </p>
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<h2 id="eTbKb0">Samrin — Sevilla </h2>
<p id="dTE8DM">The team I would least like to draw is Sevilla. Our game against them in the SuperCup is evidence of why I would like to avoid the Spanish side. They can trouble any opposition and they can defend doggedly. They can break pretty effectively as well. A draw against Sevilla at a time when Bayern will possibly have the exertions of the club World Cup to deal with could prove to be a nightmarish scenario. Sevilla also has the quality up front to provide some offensive firepower. Yes, they had tight games against minnows Krasnodar in their group, but, they won both fixtures, one with ten men. Also, a 0-4 defeat to Chelsea after both teams had already qualified shouldn’t be taken too seriously.</p>
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<p id="qBwJsu">Who is Bayern’s worst draw? Let us know in our poll and the comments below!</p>
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https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/12/12/22169263/bayern-munich-fc-barcelona-hansi-flick-atalanta-lionel-messi-sevilla-lazio-atalanta-porto-mullerJToboltSchnitzel01MarcusIredahlSamrin_TwinkleFCBFergus252020-12-11T17:00:00+01:002020-12-11T17:00:00+01:00BFW roundtable: Who do we want Bayern Munich to face in the Champions League Ro16?
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<img alt="Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/02XWoXaOc0tPzd8CBZV_18RKsmo=/0x12:3933x2634/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68496897/1266362754.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Who would be the best draw for the Bavarians? Barcelona? Lazio? Find out in this article.</p> <p id="RHeXLy">The <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/uefa-champions-league-draw">Champions League draw</a> takes place on Monday the 14th of December and <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> will be among the teams finding out their matchups for the Ro16 of the competition. The first and second legs of the Ro16 will take place in Feburary and March respectively and Bayern will definitely be playing either Barcelona, Porto, Sevilla, Lazio or Atalanta. </p>
<p id="2bvBL5">But out of these options, who is the most favourable draw for the Bavarians and why? That is the question I posed to my fellow BFW writers. So, without further ado, here you go.</p>
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<h2 id="RXURxV">Josh Tobolt — Porto</h2>
<p id="jp5N5K">Well for me, the most favorable would have to be Porto. While they have the youth talent, Porto just simply does not have the class to compete with Bayern over a 2 leg fixture. A single game? Sure. We saw it last year with Lyon challenging Bayern and in any given year single game upsets can occur. But I would fancy Bayern’s chances vs Porto, especially given Davies is back and Kimmich is back in training.</p>
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<h2 id="hhyj6g">Fergus — Barcelona </h2>
<p id="RLSZsZ">Its an incredibly easy choice for me, and one that fans of the opposing club would 8-2 see happen. Barcelona. While many might think this is the hardest draw, the toughest team with the best players, the club could be nicknamed Farcelona on current form — they would pose little threat to the Bavarian’s over two legs as their slow and lethargic football would again be demolished by Hansi Flick’s kamikaze, high octane play. Furthermore, who doesn’t love to witness another thrashing? Especially one, which could make things very Messi in Catalonia...</p>
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<h2 id="KGMlxY">Schnitzel — Atalanta</h2>
<p id="J3r03j">Atalanta are quite possibly the only Italian team that plays attractive attacking football. Unlike the rest of their league counterparts, their style of play is fluid, switching from a defensive position to a counterattacking threat in a matter of seconds. Players like Zapata, Diallo, Miranchuk and Gomez are strong attacking options, meaning this would be the acid test the Bayern defense needs in order to move forward with motivation. </p>
<p id="B1PJiU">Atalanta are a very compact team and usually well organized, but Bayern should be able to beat them because their defense also isn’t great and they would have a hard time dealing with Bayern’s free-scoring attack. The Italian side offers the perfect balance as a Ro16 opponent: a strong, balanced team to face and get the team kicking for the latter stages, but not too difficult to be a big concern.</p>
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<h2 id="yC6iWA">John Dillon — Lazio </h2>
<p id="SbBnjF">Given the limited choices for Bayern Munich in the Round of 16, I would prefer to see our Bavarians draw SS Lazio. I have two main reasons: first, Lazio is a favorable draw; second, I’d love to see Lazio knocked out of the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> as quickly as possible. This club is one of the biggest offenders in Europe with constant scandals involving the racism and even neo-Nazism of their fans. And, incidentally, it would be entertaining to see Ciro Immobile go head to head against Robert Lewandowski, whom he beat for the Golden Shoe last season thanks largely in part to an almost record-breaking number of penalties - 18, of which Immobile converted 14!</p>
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<h2 id="FhCzeT">Samrin — Lazio</h2>
<p id="lojoO4">The team I would like Bayern to draw is Lazio. Lazio, based on their performances against Dortmund, can be really difficult to play. They have the talents of Ciro Immobile surrounded by a midfield which can wrestle control from possession based teams if need be. Juan Correa provides another dangerous outlet up front as well. Although the Italians made hard work of it against Club Brugge on the final day, I think Lazio can make life difficult enough for Bayern. There are no easy draws in the latter rounds of the CL and this year is no exception.</p>
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<p id="mhMowW">With most writers choosing different teams as their preferred options, it is clear that Bayern will be clear favorites to advance with any draw. Vote in the poll below who you think Bayern’s best draw would be, and let us know your thoughts in the comments too!</p>
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https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/22167491/bayern-munich-champions-league-ro16-draw-barcelona-lazio-atalanta-porto-flick-robert-lewandowskiFergus25JToboltSchnitzel01John DillonSamrin_TwinkleFCB