Manager: Pep Guardiola.
Former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola joined FC Bayern in the summer after a year-long sabbatical from football management.
His achievements at Barcelona in his previous role hardly require detailing… but we’ll do it anyway.
Under Guardiola, Barcelona won three La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and two UEFA Champions League titles to propel him onto the top table of managers in world football.
Euro Pedigree:
Bayern are the current holders of the UEFA Champions League after beating Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley in May.
They would have qualified in Pot One anyway after winning the Bundesliga at a canter last season.
One of the continent’s biggest superpowers, Bayern are looking for their sixth European cup in 2013/14 and they’re one of the favourites.
Best UCL finish:
Winners: 1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013.
Runners-up: 1982, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2012.
Stadium:
Allianz Arena, 71,137 capacity
Star man:
Take your pick.
Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Mandzukic, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, Javi Martinez – they are the European champions and they’ve strengthened further this summer with Thiago Alcantara coming in from Barcelona.
Past meetings and City links:
City met Bayern in their very first Champions League campaign in 2011/12.
In Munich, City lost 2-0 but the Blues got their revenge at the Etihad Stadium in December 2011 thanks to a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from David Silva and Yaya Toure.
The teams also met in the final of the Audi Cup at the Allianz Arena in pre-season. Alvaro Negredo put City 1-0 up but goals from Muller and Mandzukic turned the game around in the second half.
Former City midfielder Didi Hamann spent the first years of his senior career at Bayern Munich. Left-back Michael Tarnat left the German club on a free transfer in 2003, signing for Kevin Keegan’s newly promoted Blues. Jerome Boateng joined the Munich side from City in summer 2011.
Our official travel provider Thomas Cook Sport will be offering supporter packages to follow the team during the UEFA Champions League group stages. For more information click here.
