Bayern's 'century' of home games: trouble incoming for Copenhagen in Munich

Wednesday night's Champions League Group A home match against Copenhagen is a special one for Bayern. The Danish team's first appearance in Munich is also the 100th European match at the Allianz Arena. In the 18 years since its opening, the stadium of the Bavarian giants has become a real fortress.

It all started with a rather challenging and narrow 1-0 triumph against Belgian champions Club Brugge on September 27, 2005. It was the first of 73 victories Bayern achieved in 99 games at their "new" home, as they replaced the iconic Olympic Stadium with a modern Allianz Arena at the end of May 2005.

Also, in March 2012 against Basel and in March 2015 against Shakhtar Donetsk, the Bavarians recorded 7-0 victories to get their biggest European victories at the current stadium. Bayern fans enjoyed their most successful period between September 2014 and February 2017, when the team set a record in the continent's top club competition with 16 consecutive home victories.

However, it is not the only record Bayern set in European competition at the Allianz Arena. It included legendary Dutch striker Roy Makaay's goal after 10.12 seconds against Real Madrid in March 2007 - still the fastest goal in Champions League history - or the 7-1 success against Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16 in 2008/2009, which achieved the biggest overall victory in the history of the competition - 12-1.

Spectators at the Allianz Arena were always guaranteed top entertainment - Bayern averaged 2.7 goals per European game. Therefore, Copenhagen are not up for an easy task at all. You have to withstand the pressure of the size that the Munich giant radiates, of a stadium that is used to pervading rivals. For the record, Bayern have won 28 and drawn once in 29 past home matches in the group stage of the Champions League.

After only four matches of the Group A, Bayern have already been crowned the winners of the bunch, but the two remaining matches are crucial for the other three teams. As things stand, Copenhagen, Galatasaray and Manchester United can clinch the remaining place leading into the Round of 16. If the Danish champions manage to get at least a point tonight, it would be a big help.

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Bayern have completed the first task and two rounds before the end of the group stage can afford to experiment with the line-up, which was announced by Bavarian coach Thomas Tuchel at the conference before the match.

"We've already won our group, but we don't want to give the impression that we don't take it seriously. If we make any changes, it's to maintain a high level of competition. We haven't decided how much we're going to change," Tuchel said.

The Bavarian giants are among the main favorites of the competition, which they have not won since 2020. There are six-times winner and this year they would like to make it seven. Winning the Bundesliga is also a mandatory task, although this time it seems that the Bavarians have a lot of competition in the form of Leverkusen. Although Bayern beat Cologne 1-0 during the weekend, they have not yet reached the top and are two points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

The match is much more important for Copenhagen. After four rounds, they sit in second place, but right behind him are Galatasaray and Manchester United. The Danes would have to win points in this regard, but few managed to do so at the Allianz Arena.

"We know what we're playing for. No matter who Bayern send on the field, it's still a big club and they probably won't change their style of play," Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup said.

Copenhagen picked up four points with a heroic win over Manchester United and a draw in Istanbul with Galatasaray. The Danes will aim for the best possible starting position in the Allianz Arena before the last game at home against the Turks.

"We will do everything in our power to show our own potential and quality. If we can do that, we have a chance for points. There is also the possibility of playing well and losing," Neestrup is aware.

It has already been hinted that Tuchel will change the line-up and it is not clear which eleven he will choose. Jamal Musiala will certainly not play, as well as Matthijs De Ligt, Tarek Buchmann and Gabriel Marusic. As for Copenhagen, Birger Meling, William Clem and Davit Khocholava are out of the rotation.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Group stage - Matchday 5

Tuesday

Lazio - Celtic 2-0 (0-0)

/Immobile 82, 85/

Shakhtar - Antwerp 1-0 (1-0)

/Matviienko 12/

Feyenoord - Atl.Madrid 1-3 (0-1)

/Wieffer 77 - Geertruida 14 og, Hermoso 58, Gimenez 81 og/

AC Milan - Dortmund 1-3 (1-1)

/Chukwueze 37 - Reus 10 pen, Bynoe-Gittens 59, Adeyemi 69/

PSG - Newcastle 1-1 (0-1)

/Mbappe 90+8 pen - Isak 24/

Man.City - RB Leipzig 3-2 (0-2)

/Haaland 55, Foden 70, Alvarez 87 - Openda 13, 33/

Young Boys - Crvena Zvezda 2-0 (2-0)

/Nedeljkovic 8 og, Blum 29/

Barcelona - Porto 2-1 (1-1)

/Cancelo 32, Felix 57 - Pepe 30/

Wednesday

20:45: (2.80) Galatasaray (3.40) Man.Utd. (2.65)

20:45: (2.65) Sevilla (3.40) PSV (2.80)

23:00: (1.25) Bayern (7.00) Copenhagen (12.0)

23:00: (1.33) Arsenal (5.10) Lens (9.50)

23:00: (2.20) Braga (3.45) Union Berlin (3.25)

23:00: (1.90) Real Madrid (3.70) Napoli (4.40)

23:00: (2.75) Benfica (3.30) Inter (2.60)

23:00: (1.52) Sociedad (4.10) Salzburg (6.50)

***odds are subject to change***