FC Bayern can breathe a sigh of relief after their commanding 3-0 win at Werder Bremen. The Munich side have time to gather their strength before the upcoming Bundesliga weekend – and can watch the Champions League play-offs from the comfort of their sofa
A year ago, things looked very different, with the German record champions missing out on a direct place in the top eight of the league phase and having to go through to the unloved play-offs. Things got unnecessarily complicated against Celtic Glasgow: a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena, a hard-fought 2-1 win in Scotland – only then was a place in the last 16 confirmed. The unrest was palpable, the criticism correspondingly loud
This time everything went according to plan for Bayern
This season, the situation at Säbener Straße is much more relaxed in February. As runners-up in the league phase, Harry Kane and Co. have qualified directly for the round of 16. While heavyweights such as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus Turin have to take the detour via the play-offs and tremble about progressing, FCB can concentrate fully on the upcoming tasks in the Bundesliga
For Vincent Kompany, this is an advantage that should not be underestimated. No English week, no additional travel stress – instead a targeted preparation for the clash against Eintracht Frankfurt. Especially in a phase in which stress management plays a central role, the direct entry into the knockout round comes at the right time
The Champions League format provides for clear structures. The top eight teams in the final table go straight through to the round of 16. Ninth to 24th place fight for the remaining tickets in play-offs. There is a fixed grid: 9 or 10 face 23 or 24, 11 or 12 face 21 or 22, 13 or 14 face 19 or 20 and 15 or 16 face 17 or 18. The seeded teams enjoy home-field advantage in the second leg. Matches from the same league are expressly possible. Anyone wishing to place a bet on the upcoming Champions League play-offs should take a closer look at the offer from Metaspins
Is a German duel looming in March?
Bayern managers are likely to be keeping a particularly close eye on the performances of the two Bundesliga clubs that still have to play in the play-offs. Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are battling it out in the play-offs. If both prevail, there could be an all-German clash in the round of 16 – either against BVB or the Werkself
A clash of this kind in March would electrify the top flight even more. For Bayern, it would be challenging in sporting terms, but also appealing. One thing is clear: FCB are starting the decisive phase of the season from a position of strength.
