Lyon vs Bayern Munich
Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade (Lisbon).
Match preview
Even before destroying Barcelona, Bayern has been the favorite of many to go all the way in the competition this year and lifted the European Cup for the sixth time.
After becoming the first team to score eight goals in the Champions League knockout match, it is difficult to see exactly which team will stop them from winning a famous treble.
Nineteen teams have tried and failed to stop the Bavarian giants from winning in the run stretching back to February 16.
In fact, going back further, Hansi Flick's men have now won 24 of their last 25 matches in all competitions, the exception being the deadlock with fellow semi-finalists RB Leipzig.
The way they won a landslide victory over European heavyweights Barcelona really is one of the 'where are you?' when, with six different players getting on the scoresheet.
Even more impressive than that, all eight goals helped by different players, showing how deep attacking Bayern have in their ranks.
As witnessed in the last round against Man City team much-fancied, though, Lyon can not be eliminated in the final draw-four showdown in Lisbon.
Moussa Dembele was twice on target for outsiders Rudi Garcia, add Maxwell Cornet opener after Kevin De Bruyne has leveled matters.
Unbelievably, Lyon have not won consecutive games in a single Champions League campaign since the 2011-12 season when they beat Dinamo Zagreb and APOEL.
Les Gones also knocked out Italian champions Juventus in the round of 16, however, and will enter this match full of confidence.
In what could be a good sign for Lyon - and they no doubt will take whatever they can - Bayern have failed to progress from each of the four semi-finals them.
Bayern came out on top when the sides meet at this stage in the 2009-10 semi-finals, although the tie is played over two legs, not like this one-off clash on neutral ground.
In a unique campaign that has provided many surprises, Lyon will be hoping for one more big twist as they look to overcome some of the in-form side of the continent.
Team News
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick has not dealt with a fresh injury. And despite impressive cameos from Kingsley Coman and Philippe Coutinho in the last game, Germany is unlikely to make any changes to his starting XI.
Flick, however, will be facing a tactical dilemma when he needed to consider, pacy and sharp attacks from Lyon. Unlike Barcelona, the French outfit have the option deadly and fast attack including Memphis Depay, Moussa Dembele and Karl Shop Ekambi.
All of these individuals is more than capable of providing a threat on the counter. So it will be interesting to see whether or not Bayern survive with high defensive line consisting of Joshua Kimmich, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies.
In any case, there will be no change in assigned roles of the two central midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Leon Goretzka. their technical skills and the ability to sense danger could be key as the Bavarians look to avoid dominate in the middle of the park.
And finally, Bayern Munich attack will be spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski, who will be partnered with a trio of offensive Serge Gnabry, Ivan Perisic and Thomas Muller.
All three players will operate in the role of free-flowing, which means they will all have the freedom to switch positions to make it difficult for Lyon to appoint a man-marking scheme. Coman and Coutinho other options available at the disposal of Flick.
Possible Lineup (4-3-3): Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Muller, Goretzka, Thiago; Perisic, Lewandowski, Gnabry.
Olympique Lyon
Just like Bayern Munich, Lyon, too, will not have their chances of going through to the finals complicated by injury problems.
Rudi Garcia is likely to keep his tried and tested 3-5-2, with defensive trio Marcelo, Jason Denayer and Marcal provide cover for goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. These three will definitely use deep defensive line and contain the pressure from opposition attacks.
Going forward, the main task for the trifecta midfield of Bruno Guimaraes, Maxence Caqueret and houssem Aouar will provide a wide range in the middle of the park. It will also be interesting to see how Flick looks to combat Lyon may have a numerical advantage in such areas of the field.
Aouar, in particular, have played, at times during the ownership phase. France's technical prowess, therefore, could be key in the overall creation Lyon. He can also create problems for the Bayern defense with his long passes and through balls.
Elsewhere, both wing-backs in Leo Dubois and Maxwell Cornet will provide advanced wide and is an important element in the system of counter-attacking Lyon.
And finally, in the attack, Ekambi Store may still start ahead of Dembele, who scored two goals against Manchester City in the quarter-finals when Depay is a guaranteed starter in two attacking setup.
Possible Lineup (3-5-2): Lopes; Denayer, Marcelo, Marcal; Dubois, Caqueret, Guimaraes, Aouar, Cornet; Depay, Store Ekambi.
Lyon vs Bayern Munich Predictions
It is clear that Lyon had the talent to put the Bayern defense under pressure. However, the deadly sharpness and speed of midfield and attack Bayern Munich should be more than enough to send Germany into the final.
Home victory under low and hence opportunities, tipped for Bayern Munich win with -1 defects may serve as a suitable option.
Bayern Munich have scored 4.3 goals per game in the Champions League this season, and the latest equipment they are no different from the demolition of the opponent's defense with Lewandowski leading the attack. So, tip for Bayern to score over 2.5 goals might generate a decent profit for passengers.
Lyon has scored in eight of their nine games in the competition. Manuel Neuer probably one of the best goalkeepers in the mix, but he has conceded in five of the last nine matches in the tournament so far. Although the Bavarians after the victory, a BTTS more likely to occur in ninety minutes.
Besides Lewandowski, a serious threat to Les Gones will Serge Gnabry. He is third in the Champions League scoring charts with seven goals in eight appearances. Possibility for him to slot in a goal in the ninety minutes if they use him in the game.
Lyon vs Bayern Munich Betting tips
Bayern Munich won with disabilities -1 @ 1.60 (3/5).
Bayern Munich to score over 2.5 goals @ 1.66 (4/6).
Both teams scored @ 1.75 (3/4).
Serge Gnabry to score anytime @ 1.75 (3/4).
