Captain Manuel Neuer returns to the FC Bayern Munich goal in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League at Arsenal. The national soccer goalkeeper, who was missing in the defeats against Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Heidenheim, is fit again for the game in the evening after his muscle injury.
On the offensive, coach Thomas Tuchel is relying on Harry Kane, who is known as an Arsenal expert from his time at Tottenham, on returnee Leroy Sané as well as Jamal Musiala and former Arsenal professional Serge Gnabry.
A total of four changes, Müller on the bench
In central defense, Tuchel relies on Matthijs de Ligt and Eric Dier again, unlike the failed attempt with Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim in Heidenheim. Like Kane, Dier also knows Arsenal FC from numerous derbies as a former Tottenham professional. Compared to the Heidenheim embarrassment, Tuchel made a total of four changes. For Thomas Müller, who most recently led the team as captain and who is about to make his 150th appearance in the premier class, the only place left is on the bench. Kingsley Coman and Aleksandar Pavlovic are back there after absences.
Havertz meets Tuchel again
As expected, coach Mikel Arteta is relying on national player Kai Havertz for the Premier League leaders. Under Tuchel, Havertz won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021. On Havertz’s side against Bayern, the Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli will be given preference in the offensive ahead of the Belgian Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal are in the quarter-finals of the premier class for the first time since 2010. FC Bayern is taking part in this round for the 22nd time. The second leg will take place on Wednesday next week in Munich.
Fan penalty for FC Bayern
In the first leg, the Munich team will have to do without the loud support of their fans. This is the result of a penalty by the European Football Union, which responded to the misconduct of Munich supporters in the first leg of the round of 16 at Lazio.
