Miasanrot Roundtable: Five questions ahead of the match against Benfica
April 11, 2016 Domestically Bayern are well under way, but a possible exit in the Champions League could trigger a great unrest in the team. Would an elimination also have a negative effect on the remaining goals?
Martin: The championship should actually be decided after Dortmund’s lost points against Schalke. And for the cup I think a progression in the CL would even be negative, because a qualification for the final in Milan would make it difficult to focus on the cup final. Especially in 2012 we have seen how Bayern can look against a strong Dortmund team, if your head is actually already in the following week.
Felix: The success in Munich is already measured based on the Champions League by the environment, no matter how often the fourth championship in a row is mentioned. After the 1:0 in the first leg an elimination would therefore be a drastic disappointment. An exit against Turin in my opinion would have had less negative impact on the rest of the season, as it could have been justified better. Benfica is and remains to be the underdog. A defeat in Lisbon would be a godsend for the environment to question everything. On the other hand: to beat Bremen in the Cup semi-final, is very realistic, even after a CL elimination. The chance to collect the double should be enough motivation to beat Dortmund or Hertha – even without a visit to Milan the following week.
Steffen: The longer Guardiola and the team are challenged in all competitions, the better for all targets. The squad is deep enough to rotate. A motivational drop by an exit in the Champions League would be negative for the other two competitions.
Justin: In the Bundesliga Bayern leads by seven. With Schalke, Hertha and Gladbach three complicated opponents still wait for Bayern, but not even I do think Bayern will waste their lead. However, I would only call the league race decided” when my calculator confirms it. The cup is almost less predictable than the Champions League, because in one game everything can happen. Just remember the semi-final last season. An exit from the Champions League would increase the focus on the cup of course, but at the same time it would also extremely increase the medial pressure on Guardiola and the team. I think the next few weeks would be very tiring. An advancement would therefore be essential for Munich.
Where will you watch the game and how will it end?
Justin: I’ll watch the game on the couch, it’s a tradition, and I think that Bayern will progress. There won’t be a spectacle again, but that is not necessary. In the end a narrow 2:1 away win or even a draw will be enough. We can continue to analyze and criticize, while Bayern continue to win their games. Great, isn’t it?
Martin: I will support our team in Lisbon in the stadium. Of course, I am convinced that we will progress and believe that our team will confidently win 2:0, even if one or two counterattacks will make us nervous again.
Steffen: It’s my tradition to follow Champions League games standing in front of the couch. I look forward to the tension. Knockout matches in the Champions League are the best – but sometimes the worst – moments as a Bayern fan.
Felix: On Wednesday I will provoke my colleagues on the editorial board of “11Freunde” by wearing my Miasanrot-Shirt, then on my way home I will spent half an hour listening to the Champions League anthem and then I will watch the game much more relaxed than the first knockout round. I’m usually last at KickTipp and to remain there I have my money on a 3:1 for Benfica.
