Bayern Munich vs Besiktas. UEFA Champions League First Knockout Round.
Allianz ArenaAttendance70,000.
Tuesday 20 February 2018 19:32, UK
Bayern Munich head coach Jupp Heynckes admits he has some tough team selection decisions for the first leg of the Champions League last-16 clash with Besiktas on Tuesday.
Bayern have every outfield player fit and available for the match at the Allianz Arena, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer the only absentee as he recovers from a fractured foot.
Heynckes, who steered the five-time champions to the 2013 title, said: "I have no A or B team - there is just one Bayern team.
"Every player knows their position and understands each other, so I don't think we have too many problems with rotation. There are far more benefits, because everyone feels important and stays fresh.
"It's not easy, but I think the players are happy with how I have managed it so far."
Heynckes made eight changes for the starting side which won 2-1 at Wolfsburg on Saturday, and has to decide who sits out of the 18-man squad to face Besiktas.
Thiago Alcantara made his comeback at Wolfsburg after three months sidelined by injury, while French winger Kingsley Coman has recovered from a cold.
Thomas Mueller, Corentin Tolisso and James Rodriguez are all competing to play in behind striker Robert Lewandowski, while Coman, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are vying for berths on the wings.
Besiktas are in the Champions League knock-out stage for the first time. The Turkish champions start a hectic period of six games in three weeks before the return leg against Bayern on March 14, including two home matches against Fenerbahce.
They are without Cenk Tosun, who left to join Everton after scoring four goals in the group stages, so either Alvaro Negredo or new signing Vagner Love should start up front. Besiktas come into the match on the back of being held by lowly Konyaspor last Friday.
Bayern, meanwhile, are on a 13-match winning streak, although Heynckes expects a hard fight in Munich.
"It's no surprise that Besiktas are here, they won all three of their away matches in the group stage," said Heynckes. "They won't hide, they like to play attacking football - if you let them. That's the key. They will look for their chances, so we need to be prepared."
Bayern and Besiktas' only previous encounter was in the 1997/98 Champions League group stages. The Bavarians won both games 2-0.
Bayern have won their last four Champions League games, the longest current run in the competition.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich have won 19 of their last 20 Champions League games, the only exception coming against Real Madrid in last season's quarter final (1-2). They have also scored three goals in each of their three home games this season.
Besiktas are the only side to have won all three of their away games in the Champions League this season. They were also one of four teams to remain unbeaten in this season's Champions League group stages, alongside Barcelona, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Robert Lewandowski has scored 17 goals in his last 16 Champions League appearances at the Allianz Arena. Of the players to have featured in at least 20 knockout games, he has the second-best goals per game (0.68) behind Cristiano Ronaldo (0.79).
Besiktas were a bit of a surprise to us all, proving to be very strong and comfortable in topping their group.
I still think the big teams step up when required and even though Bayern seem to be conceding a few early goals they don't panic when they go behind.
They may not be one of the favourites this season but they've got plenty of quality attacking players in Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller and I see them progressing comfortably here.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Lewandowski to score first (10/1 with Sky Bet)
