Bayern Munich versus Shakhtar Donetsk: Who will win in this subtle Champions League clash? | OneFootball

Bayern Munich are fired up after losing to Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal last week. To combat the tough loss, they played Heidenheim a few days later in the Bundesliga and put on an absolute goal-scoring clinic. Even after suffering the crippling loss of Harry Kane due to a thigh strain, the Munich offense seemed to be severely potent and continued to look like a threat in the Bundesliga.

Die Roten seek to continue firing away against a defense that has been considered pretty malleable when they play against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Bayern will want to prove that they are still one of the best offensive sides and one of the most solid defensive teams in Europe in this favorable matchup. How will they do it, though?

First, we have to talk about what Bayern is up against in this match. FC Bayern Munich are currently 13th in the Champions League points table, slowly climbing up with recent wins against Benfica and PSG, winning both matches by a scoreline of 1-0, respectably. Shakhtar Donetsk is presently sitting in 26th place, with recent losses to PSV Eindhoven and FC Arsenal. Neither team has been at their best so far in this version of the Champions League, but we have all witnessed that both of them can score at will in their leagues and are just struggling to do so in the Champions League. So now the question is: how is Bayern going to translate their success in the Bundesliga to the Champions League?

How can Bayern Munich achieve success against Shakhtar Donetsk?

Bayern Munich lost Harry Kane to a thigh strain recently (although he will be back somewhat soon). He has been the focal point of the offense up until this point in the season, and now they will have to hope somebody else will step up. Luckily, Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise were able to do so in the first few games without Kane, but will they be able to continue to do it? The short answer: Yes.

Jamal Musiala is a phenomenal player and--even at his young age--he steps up when Bayern needs him by controlling possession and scoring massive goals in massive moments. Michael Olise, on the other hand, doesn't prove to be super clutch in big games but does help create tons of chances by dropping back to recieve the ball and attract attention away from the other attackers on the field. They will want to get these two the ball as much as they can going forward if they want to exploit the space and create chances.

On the defensive side of things, Bayern Munich are one of the best in Europe at stopping the concession of goals and goal-scoring opportunities. With the likes of Kim Min-Jae and Dayot Upamecano, it takes some pretty special plays to penetrate this defense.

With the help of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, this Bayern defense are very hard to play through. If Kimmich can do what he normally does in big games and shut down the forward movement through the midfield, the center-backs will be able to push up and win the ball, giving the offense a better chance to trouble the opposition.

Score Prediction

FC Bayern Munich, regardless of missing Kane, still have the stronger weapons in attack and will be tough to beat in a match that they will more than likely control. Defensively, Bayern has looked pretty solid and will likely continue to concede fewer goals than most other teams in the division, especially against a team struggling in the final.

Offensively, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, and Leroy Sane are going to be able to use their speed and intelligence to break down the opposing defense and create a multitude of good goal-scoring opportunities. I would be surprised if FC Bayern Munich don't win this game, although I highly doubt it will be a blowout by any stretch. Bayern will slowly and methodically break down Shakhtar Donetsk and clinch a 2-0 win.