Bayern Munich vs. Atalanta: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Bayern Munich vs. Atalanta Score Prediction

La Dea Save Face in Munich

No, stranger things have not happened. A five-goal first leg deficit has never been overturned in Champions League history, and Wednesday’s clash is bound to have an exhibition-like feel.

Bayern will be forced to rotate, while Atalanta have a few notable players back, so the return leg, despite it being played in Munich, should be much more competitive. Palladino was guilty of a tactical oversight last week, and reverting to a shape that has brought La Dea plenty of success since Gian Piero Gasperini took the reins should help the visitors contain their powerful hosts.

The Rekordmeister will be in the quarterfinals, and a blockbuster tie, most likely against 15-time European champions Real Madrid, beckons.

• Atalanta’s record in Germany: La Dea are embarking on their first trip to the Allianz Arena, and they’ve generally enjoyed their visits to Germany over the years, winning three and drawing two of their seven games in the country. They’ve only lost to Borussia Dortmund on German soil.
• Team news: Bayern are without Atalanta’s chief tormentor, Michael Olise, for the second leg, and Kompany is likely to make plenty of changes after last week’s comfortable victory. They can be ruthless, but the visitors will be determined to save face. The return of Charles De Ketelaere is a particularly big boost, given that he leads the Atalanta squad with four Champions League goal contributions this term.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 2–2 Atalanta

Bayern Munich Predicted Lineup vs. Atalanta

Kompany is set to make a healthy number of changes for the return leg, and there are doubts as to who’ll actually play in goal for the hosts on Wednesday night.

Manuel Neuer is still dealing with a calf injury, while Saturday’s hero, Ulreich, picked up a muscle injury that has ruled him out for the game. Jonas Urbig could be cleared from the concussion protocol in time for Atalanta’s visit, but if not, 16-year-old Leonard Prescott will be thrust into the limelight and make his first Bayern start.

Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise are suspended after picking up their third yellow cards in this season’s competition last week, but Kompany won’t mind the pair sitting out, given Bayern’s huge advantage.

Harry Kane may not be risked; Hiroki Itō and Jamal Musiala are injury doubts, while Alphonso Davies is sidelined with a hamstring issue.

Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs. Atalanta (4-2-3-1): Prescott; Laimer, Tah, Kim, Stanišić; Goretzka, Pavlović; Karl, Gnabry, Díaz; Jackson.

Atalanta Predicted Lineup vs. Bayern Munich

Atalanta’s injury boosts have almost certainly arrived too late, with Éderson and Charles De Ketelaere back in action for La Dea at the weekend. Both featured off the bench at San Siro, and could find themselves in the starting lineup on Wednesday. De Ketelaere had been out for a little longer than a month after undergoing knee surgery.

Their respective comebacks has shrunk Atalanta’s injury list, with January signing Giacomo Raspadori the only doubt. USMNT international Yunus Musah is suspended.

Palladino will almost certainly revert to a 3-4-2-1 in Munich, having unsuccessfully adopted a 4-4-2 last week.

Atalanta predicted lineup vs. Bayern Munich (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolašinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Éderson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Zalewski; Scamacca.

What Time Does Bayern Munich vs. Atalanta Kick-Off?

• Location: Munich, Germany
• Stadium: Allianz Arena
• Date: Wednesday, March 18
• Kick-off Time: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. GMT
• Referee: Benoît Bastien (FRA)
• VAR: Bastien Dechepy (FRA)

How to Watch Bayern Munich vs. Atalanta on TV

• MORE: Full list of Champions League broadcasters around the world

READ THE LATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC