Group A Preview (Nov. 24-25)
Toni will not feature tomorrow due to angering Louis van Gaal in a television interview.
Bayern Munich vs Maccabi Haifa
Liverpool may not be the only European giant to be knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage.
Bayern Munich may join them.
Munich need to beat the Israeli Champions in order to have any chance to qualify, and even that may not be enough. If Juventus beat Bordeaux than the German giants have no chance. Failure to qualify may see Louis van Gaal’s short spell with Munich come to an abrupt end.
The Dutchman is likely to start Klose and Gomes up front. Luca Toni will likely not even make the squad after he criticized his coach in a television interview. Ribery and Robben will both miss the match with knee injuries.
Player to watch:
Klose has the pedigree but he has not performed the way he can this season. He will need to help the German giants if they want any chance to qualify.
Match Prediction:
Munich are at home and they will beat the Israeli side with ease. Whether they qualify or not is another matter. I predict a 2-0 win for Bayern Munich.
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Juventus vs Bordeaux
If Juve beat Bordeaux then the Group A qualifiers will have been decided. Bordeaux are top of the group and have already clinched their spot in the Round of 16.
In order to join them, Ciro Ferrara’s squad have to beat the French side. They will have to do so without injured strikers David Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaquinta but Del Piero is fit to lead the attack.
Bordeaux are missing some key players as well. Moroccan forward Marouane Chamakh and midfielder Yoann Gourcuff are both out with injuries which will make the feat of scoring even tougher as Juve have the best defensive record in the competition.
Player to watch:
Juventus have missed Alessandro Del Piero this season, but the talismanic captain will be instrumental in the rest of the season.
Match Prediction:
Juventus have been able to grind out wins this season, it has not been pretty but they are efficient. I predict a 2-0 win for Juve.
Play Beautiful!
