THE Champions League’s best attack and defense meet when Atletico Madrid hosts Bayern Munich, and Robert Lewandowski is relishing the clash.
Robert Lewandowski is eager to put Atletico Madrid’s formidable defensive record to the test when Bayern Munich visits in the Champions League semifinal first leg.
Diego Simeone’s side defeated defending champion Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate to reach the last four after a disciplined 2-0 win at the Vicente Calderon in the second leg, with Barca failing to score in a Champions League game for the first time since a 1-0 loss to Atleti in April 2014.
Atletico has kept a clean sheet in 13 of its last 15 home Champions League games, while goalkeeper Jan Oblak recently surpassed Thibaut Courtois’ club record of league shutouts in a single campaign, with the Slovenian now on 23.
Lewandowski has been in fearsome form for Bayern this season and has eight Champions League goals so far, but the Poland international has struggled on the road in Europe, having failed to score in seven of his last eight away from the Allianz Arena.
Rather than feel daunted at the prospect of facing Atleti’s defense, however, Lewandowski is relishing the prospect of finding a crucial away goal to silence the vociferous Vicente Calderon crowd.
“They have the best defense in the Spanish Liga. I think they’re a team that play on the break. We need to be careful,” he told UEFA.com.
“As a striker, it’s a challenge to face a side that concede so few, but I’m happy to be playing against them. We know it will be tough, but we are Bayern.
“We’ve heard the atmosphere there is among the top three in Europe when it comes to how the fans support their team. I like playing in front of crowds like that. Regardless whether you’re at home or away, those are always great matches for any player. Even though the crowd might be against you, it motivates you and your adrenaline goes to the limit.”
Bayern, which has scored more goals (28) than any other semifinalist this season, has reached this stage of the tournament six times in seven years and has won its last three domestic matches without conceding a goal.
Pep Guardiola’s side could also face an Atleti defense shorn of its leader, with Diego Godin battling to recover from a hamstring problem in time for the match.
Jose Gimenez returned to action in the 1-0 win over Malaga on Saturday, however, and the Uruguayan is fully prepared for the same kind of test which his side experienced against Barca in the quarterfinals.
“The game against Bayern will be as difficult or even more so than the one against Barcelona,” he said. “They have different weapons but play similar football. We hope it won’t be their night and that we can get a good result.”
Tiago (broken leg) remains out but Atleti has an otherwise strong squad to choose from, with Fernando Torres available after a ban, while Bayern has a number of concerns for the trip to the Spanish capital.
Jerome Boateng is unlikely to be fully fit despite returning to training following a long-term groin injury, while Holger Badstuber (ankle) is out and Arjen Robben (groin) is expected to be unavailable. Sebastian Rode, meanwhile, is battling illness. — Goal