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Bayern logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 29, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Dinamo Zagreb

5-0

Costa (13'), Lewandowski (21', 28', 55'), Gotze (25')
FT(HT: 4-0)

Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Dinamo Zagreb

Sports Mole previews the Champions League Group F clash between Bayern Munich and Dinamo Zagreb.

Bayern Munich will be looking to build on their winning start to their Champions League campaign when they face off against Dinamo Zagreb at the Allianz Arena.

Pep Guardiola's men defeated Olympiacos 3-0 in their opener, but will face a tough task against the Croatian side following their win over Arsenal.


Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich's Spanish headcoach Pep Guardiola reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs Hamburger SV at the Allianz Arena in Munich, southern Germany, on August 14, 2015© Getty Images

Bayern got their Champions League campaign off to a solid start against Olympiacos, despite the best efforts of the Greek side at the Karaiskakis Stadium.

Marco Silva's men held out against the Bundesliga side for 52 minutes before Thomas Muller opened the scoring, and he notched his second goal in stoppage time along with a strike from Mario Gotze to secure a comfortable win for Guardiola's men.

Bayern have enjoyed a dominant start to the season in the Bundesliga, winning all seven of their league matches, including their last outing against Mainz 05 3-0 on Saturday. The club hold a four-point lead at the top of the table as they look to secure the crown for the fourth year in a row.

Guardiola's men have found their form in front of the net by scoring 14 goals in their last four matches, with striker Robert Lewandowski firing seven strikes, including five in his side's 5-1 comeback win over Wolfsburg.

Defensively, the German side have been resilient at the back, conceding just five goals in all competitions in the campaign, which will delight Guardiola considering his team's struggles towards the end of last season.

Bayern will be determined to take a large stride towards the knockout round by taking a three-point lead into the next round of fixtures with a victory over Zagreb at the Allianz Arena.

Recent form: W
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWW


Dinamo Zagreb

Eduardo of Dinamo Zagreb celebrates after the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal at Maksimir Stadium on September 16, 2015© Getty Images

Zagreb produced the shock of the first round of fixtures by defeating the Gunners 2-1 at Stadion Maksimir.

Josip Pivaric and Junior Fernandes notched the vital goals to get the Croatian side's campaign in the Champions League off to the perfect start.

The result against Arsenal was made even more remarkable considering that Zagreb had failed to record a victory in the competition in their last 12 matches.

The club will be determined to kick on from their success against Arsene Wenger's men against the Bundesliga champions to try to secure their place in the knockout round for the first time in their history.

Zagreb have been in impressive form in the Prva Liga as they are unbeaten in their last 45 matches. The club's last defeat in the league came in May 2014 against Istra 1961. Zoran Mamic's side are currently top of the table this season, having taken 23 points from their first 11 matches.

Armin Hozdic has netted seven goals for the Croatian side this season, while Angelo Henriquez and Fernandes have also found the net with regularity. If Mamic's side are to pull off another surprise result in Group F his forward players will need to fire in the final third.

Recent form: W
Recent form (all competitions): WWWDWW


Team News

Bayern Munich's Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal waves prior to the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs Hamburger SV at the Allianz Arena in Munich, southern Germany, on August 14, 2015© Getty Images

Bayern are currently embroiled in an injury crisis as Guardiola has revealed that he may only have 15 fit players for the clash against the Croatian champions.

Arturo Vidal and Sebastian Rode are the latest players to arrive in the treatment room, with long-term absentees Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Medhi Benatia and Holger Badstuber.

However, Javi Martinez should be fit to take his place in the starting lineup to boost the Spaniard's options in midfield.

Ivo Pinto and Leonardo Sigali are fitness doubts for Zagreb after they missed the club's 4-1 win over Osijek last week, but Goncalo Santos is available for selection once again after missing the victory against Arsenal due to suspension.

Bayern possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Alaba, Bernat; Alonso, Thiago, Martinez; Muller, Costa, Lewandowski

Zagreb possible starting lineup:
Eduardo; Matel, Tavarel, Benkovic, Pivaric; Rog, Antolic, Machado; Fernandes, Pjaca, Soudani


Head To Head

The two sides have met just twice in their respective histories, with both matches coming in 1963 in the Fairs Cup.

Zagreb ran out 4-1 winners in their clash in Munich, while the second leg ended 0-0 at the home of the Croatian side.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Bayern Munich 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb

Bayern have been in imperious form in all competitions of late, and despite their injury concerns, expect them to continue their winning run against the Croatian side at the Allianz Arena.

Mamic's team have an impressive unbeaten record, but the firepower Guardiola has at his disposal may just be too much for them to handle.



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Bayern Munich's players celebrates wining their 25th Bundesliga title after German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs 1 FSV Mainz 05 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, southern Germany on May 23, 2015
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