Bayern Munich vs. Atletico Madrid: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Bayern Munich play host to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in perhaps the most anticipated game of the season for both sides as they face off in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-finals tie.

The Spanish side won the first leg 1-0 at home, with Saul Niguez’s brilliant solo effort being enough to separate the contestants over 90 minutes. And now the impetus is on Pep Guardiola to formulate a comeback as Diego Simeone and company hold a more favorable hand.

Guardiola was bullish heading into the second leg, telling journalists over the weekend (via Eurosport): "The tie isn't over yet.

"We have another game left [in the tie], and if we lose it then you can kill me, but we still have a chance."

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Bayern face a real challenge in Atleti, who enter the match in excellent form. The Madrid side have won seven consecutive games in all competitions, the last time they failed to win being the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Barcelona in a tie they would later win.

Although the visitors will only need a draw to advance, coach Diego Simeone vowed to go for goals and try to win the second leg as well.

"Let's go out and win," he told reporters in a pre-match press conference (via Goal). "We know that the draw gets us through but we cannot think of staying in it. Winning is the essence of the game."
Simeone knows a thing or two about winning, and Atleti currently stand well in the running to win the double of the Champions League and La Liga.

Just 90 minutes stand between him and a second appearance in the final of Europe's most coveted club competition in three seasons, although the same could be said of a dangerous Bayern that have scored freely against even elite defenses like that of Juventus. A potential classic awaits.

Date: Tuesday, 3 May

Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET/8:45 p.m. local time

Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich


TV Info: FS1 (U.S. only), BT Sport Europe (UK only)

Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S. only), BT Sport Player (UK only)

Form Guide

Bayern Munich	Atletico Madrid
Schalke: Win	Rayo Vallecano: Win
Werder Bremen: Win	Bayern Munich: Win
Hertha BSC: Win	Malaga: Win
Atletico Madrid: Loss	Athletic Bilbao: Win
Monchengladbach: Draw	Granada: Win

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Team News
Bayern Munich
Jerome Boateng is expected to play for Bayern after returning from a lengthy injury-induced absence on Saturday. Holger Badstuber and Arjen Robben have both been ruled out of action due to injuries, while Franck Ribery's participation is in question due to a back problem.
Possible Bayern starting XI: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Martinez, Alaba; Alonso, Vidal; Coman, Muller, Costa; Lewandowski.

Atletico
Diego Godin should make his much-anticipated return to the Atleti lineup to face Bayern; according to Marca, the center-back, as well as Yannick Carrasco, took part in team training on Sunday. Tiago Mendes was reported to be recovering well from his hip injury, but Tuesday will come too soon for the 35-year-old
Possible Atletico starting XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Filipe Luis; Saul, Fernandes, Gabi, Koke; Griezmann; Torres.

Players to Watch
Saul will enter Tuesday's clash with plenty of confidence after scoring his brilliant opener in the first leg, while Fernando Torres will be keen to get on the score sheet after being denied by the post last week. Above all, Antoine Griezmann is the Atleti talisman to keep an eye on.

For Bayern, plenty of pressure will rest on the shoulders of forwards Robert Lewandowski and Thomas
Muller: The hosts need a goal, and those two are by a significant margin the players Bayern have relied upon throughout the season.

Paul White/Associated Press

Key Battles
Robert Lewandowski vs. Diego Godin
One of the world's best strikers meets one of the world's best defenders on Tuesday, as Lewandowski locks horns with Godin.

The Poland international has scored 38 goals in 47 appearances in all club competitions this season and regularly has come up aces when Bayern have needed him.

Godin is the experienced leader of perhaps Europe's best defense, an Atleti side that have kept eight clean sheets and conceded just five goals in the Champions League this term.

He missed the first leg due to a muscular injury, and his return will be a big boost as the Spanish side attempt to hold onto their lead.

Antoine Griezmann vs. Jerome Boateng
Since signing for Atleti in 2014, Griezmann's profile has grown and grown. Having scored 30 goals in all competitions, he's been the difference between a run of scoreless draws and Atleti's victories.

The France international netted a brace against Barcelona in the last round to push his side through to the semi-finals, and he will look to be the man to send his team to another final.

Boateng's match-up with Griezmann could be hugely influential on Tuesday's match, in one way or another.
At his best, the Germany international is arguably the world's best center-back. He only made his first appearance since January on Saturday, however, and lacking match practice, there will be heaps of pressure on Boateng to perform.

Odds (courtesy of 10BET)
Bayern: 1.55
Draw: 4.00
Atletico: 6.80

SOCCER EXPLORERS PREDICTS  UNDER 2.5 GOALS

CREDIT TO:http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2637096-bayern-munich-vs-atletico-madrid-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-info