Bayern v Rostov: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, September 12, 2016
Article summary
Debutants Rostov face a baptism of fire in their Group D opener as they visit five-time winners Bayern München, whose coach Carlo Ancelotti expects the Russian side to be "really well organised".
Article top media content
Article body
- Bayern one away from new competition record of 13 straight home wins
- Robert Lewandowski has scored eight goals in last four games for club and country
- Bayern without Arjen Robben, Jérôme Boateng and Kingsley Coman
- Don't forget to pick your Fantasy Football team before deadline
- Elsewhere in Group D: PSV Eindhoven v Atlético Madrid
Possible line-ups
Bayern: Neuer; Kimmich, Martínez, Hummels, Alaba; Alonso; Müller, Thiago, Vidal, Costa; Lewandoswki.
Out: Robben (adductor), Boateng (thigh), Coman (ankle)
Rostov: Dzhanaev; Terentyev, Gueye, Navas, Granat, Bayramyan; Kalachev, Gatskan, Noboa, Erokhin; Poloz.
Out: Grigoryev (knee), Kudryashov (suspended)
Doubtful: Azmoun (unspecified)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Carlo Ancelotti, Bayern coach
We are using this week to prepare Kingsley Coman for Saturday, so he won't be on the bench tomorrow. That way he can spend the week getting fit for the weekend. Robben and Boateng started training with us again yesterday, but they need more time to build up their fitness. Hopefully they can be ready to play next week. Douglas Costa could play. He has recovered from his injury, he played well on Friday when he came on and maybe he can start tomorrow.
Rostov did very well against Ajax [in the play-offs]. It was a tough game and they were really well organised in defence. They don't have top players, but they work very well as a team. The players work for each other and are good going forward and in defence.
Ivan Danilyants, Rostov coach
Bayern are one of the best teams in the world, they always play fantastic football. It's a very important game. It's unusual for our players to be playing in front of so many fans, so if our supporters get behind the team it will really help. We are eager to give a good account of ourselves and show we can handle the pressure.
I don't want to talk too much about our tactical approach. Success will come from a combination of defending well and counterattacking. We haven't come here to play great football; we have come to make things difficult for Bayern and try to take something from the game.
Weekend results
Schalke 0-2 Bayern (Lewandowski 81, Kimmich 90+2)
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar hit the bar for Schalke in the 56th minute, but Bayern finished strongly, Lewandowski firing in the opener from Javi Martínez's through ball. Joshua Kimmich got the second on the counterattack in added time.
Rostov 2-1 Krylya Sovetov (Bukharov 33, Prepeliţă 59; Mollo 54)
Aleksandr Bukharov scored his first league goal since October and Andrei Prepeliţă grabbed the winner on his debut as Rostov made it ten points from 12 at home this season.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)*
Bayern: WWWW
Rostov: WLWWDLD
*This season only
Reporter's view: Jordan Maciel (@UEFAcomJordanM)
Manuel Neuer played down the notion that Bayern have it "easy" in their opening fixture, but all things considered it should be a routine victory for the five-time winners. Ancelotti has almost a full squad to choose from, his side have started the season in top form, and they are devastating at home in the UEFA Champions League. While Rostov were impressive against Ajax, Bayern should prove too strong for the newcomers.
Did you know?
Rostov have played just ten European fixtures in their entire history – two fewer than Bayern contested in 2015/16 alone. Read more in our extensive match background.