Champions League knockout stages draw: Bayern meet Chelsea in the round of sixteen
December 17, 2019 Some Bayern fans will have had an involuntary bad flashback. It has been seven years now since their club lost the famous final “dahoam”. Bayern got their revenge in the UEFA Super Cup a year later, but for many, the defeat in the final still hurts deep inside.
The upcoming tie in the round of sixteen might help alleviate that pain a little. Chelsea is in fourth place at 29 points in the Premier League and has a goal difference of 31 for and 25 against.
Bayern have been struggling too, and while they have improved under Hansi Flick, their performances have been far from flawless. The first leg in February will be away in London, before the return match in March will take place at home.
Initial assessment
Their experience and the quality of their squad makes FC Bayern slight favorites. Chelsea has a lot of young, talented players in their ranks, but their performances have been lacking consistency.
However, there is no reason to underestimate the draw. Although Chelsea has indubitably seen better times in their long club history, the tie will not be a walk in the park for a Bayern side that has been looking for a consistent run of form themselves. There is a lot of homework still to do for Hansi Flick and his team before February.
If Bayern are able to stabilize their pressing and positional play until then, they will, however, have a better chance of progressing than last season. Either way, due to the two club’s shared history in the the competition, the matchup carries a bit of spark and zest. We will keep you comprehensively briefed and debriefed before and after both legs.
