Bayern Munich will travel to Belarus to take on a FC BATE, Borisov team who recorded an early result on the opening day of Champions League play of Group F last month. They secured their first win in the Champions League group stage in the team's last 13 attempts.
(Photo: Reuters/Michaela Rehle)Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates a goal against FSV Mainz 05 during the German Bundesliga first division soccer match in Munich September 15, 2012.Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes will encourage his team to earn a positive result in order to position themselves atop Group F. FC BATE surprised many with their win over LOSC Lille, but Heynckes understood that you can never overlook your opponents in the Champions League.
"You have to respect your opponents regardless who you play – Champions League winners or otherwise," said Heynckes during a press conference.
Even with their victory in France, FC BATE will remain underdogs when compared to the strength, size and experience exhibited from the German team. Still, they are playing extremely well and are currently on a 16-match unbeaten streak, which dates back to July.
Bayern Munich is also on a unbeaten spell as well, gaining positive results in their last nine matches, but one of those streaks will come to an end Tuesday.
To give the FC BATE a mental edge to the match is the fact that Bayern Munich has not looked sharp away from home. The German football team has won only one of their last five away Champions League matches, and FC BATE is looking to take advantage of their weakness outside of Germany.
The one positive that Bayern has going for them is the ease at which they are scoring goals this year. So far in the Bundesliga, Bayern has won all six of their matches and they hold a positive goal differential of 17, which places them seven points ahead of the defending champions, Borussia Dortmund.
Kickoff for the match is at 2:45 EDT and can be watched online here.
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