Bayern Munich against Manchester City

Bayern's defensive shape when not in possession has also been outstanding, offering City's creative players no room at all.

Bayern have bossed this second half. Absolutely dominated it.

Richards and Boateng are both in pain after colliding during a tackle. Both are up now, but limping gingerly.

Silva and Hart have been City's only decent players.

Aleksandar Kolarov has a decent blast from range, forcing Neuer to get down low.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kroos is off, replaced by Anatoliy Tymoschuk.

Hart is cool as a cucumber as Kompany gets a toe on a clearance and the keeper fears it could be a pass back. Harty duly thighs it away.

Bayern's fans were just signing "Football's Coming Home".

Ah. Gomez flicks on a tempting free-kick and Hart makes another brilliant save. Bayern should turn in the rebound, however they fail to do so, despite having two men free at the back post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Kolo Toure this time is booked after being skinned by the hugely impressive Ribery.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Yaya Toure goes into the book for a sloppy challenge that looked fuelled by frustration.

Neuer has had so little to do during the whole game thus far.

Free-kick to City in a good area but Milner's curled cross is a little too heavy and Neuer catches comfortably.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Final change for City as Aleksandar Kolarov comes on for Barry.

Schweinsteiger draws a sprawling stop from Hart, who springs left and turns the ball behind with his left wrist.

Bayern have now had 18 shots to City's seven.

Mancini cuts a hugely frustrated figure on the sidelines.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> And, with that, Nasri is replaced by Milner.

Nasri has been anonymous.

Milner's about to come on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Clichy is booked for a challenge from behind. The yellow looked harsh.

What a tackle. Aguero appears free and winds up to pull the trigger, but Boateng denies him in fine fashion. Class defending.

Barry makes an important sliding challenge as Bayern push on again.

City embark forward but Neuer is there quickly off his line to smother and reclaim possession.

Cheers are greeting each Bayern pass. This is the worst I have seen City play all season.

City are launching it at Aguero, the little Argentine. The ball is not sticking.

Ribery has a soft shot that Hart scoops up. Bayern are well on top here. City cannot keep the ball.

Apparently it is all going off on the bench. Mancini has put Dzeko in his place, but Tevez has also waded in, according to the touchline reporter. Very peculiar.

Dzeko has thrown a proper strop, by all accounts.

Ooo! Lahm swerves in a wicked cross and Gomez is unmarked. He should probably turn it home but gets the angle a little wrong. A huge chance to kill off this match.

Dzeko looks furious at that decision. Genuinely peeved.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> De Jong is coming on, for ... Dzeko. Weird one, Mancini.

Two key blocks just then as Bayern sent in a free-kick. K Toure, then Richards.

Kolo Toure looks to be struggling following that tackle. Limping, he is.

Kolo Toure there with a fine crunching tackle on Ribery. Little of the attacking note for City yet.

Ribery just held off Richards impressively. That's no mean feat.

Just when will Mancini opt for Tevez? Soon, you'd think.

Shambolic defending from City there with Kompany out of possession and Clichy failing to cut out a through ball.

Aguero is punished for a high boot. Heart in mouth stuff there as the ref looked to consider the second yellow.

Silva's been tenacious early on. Clearly trying to set an example.

One of the commentators just said Gomez has now scored 50 goals in his last 47 games for Bayern. REALLY?! Crikey.

<b>Kick-off:</b> Bayern get the second period started.

Speaing to the television interview man, City's David Platt says he and Mancini want more from their charges in the second half. We are about to get back under way.

I'm back. This is quite the task facing Mancini and his rich boys. Bayern have not conceded a goal since the opening day of the season.

Restroom break for me, then a drink of water. I am that crazy.

A decent half. City had two shouts for a penalty, but neither was given. Bayern rode out a sloppy period before upping the ante. Hart did everything he could to keep them at bay, but Gomez would not be denied, twice demonstrating his predatory instincts.

<b>Half-time: Bayern Munich 2-0 Manchester City</b>

A free-kick from the left is curled in and Gomez flicks it on. Hart saves at the near post, but Gomez reacts swiftly to tuck it home. 2-0.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Gomez makes it 2-0 to Bayern!

Now it is Bayern's turn for a penalty shout as Ribery is blocked off by Kompany. Could have been given, you know.

Bayern keeping it simply, eager to hold on until half-time.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Aguero is rightly carded for a poor tackle on Schweinsteiger.

City look for a leveler as Dzeko releases Richards. The Bosnian gets it back but sees his strike blocked.

Just how will City respond? They fought back to draw against Napoli, but that was at home, remember.

Ribery cuts in from the left and fires. Hart saves well but the rebound is turned goalwards by Muller. Hart saves again, emphatically, but the third effort is tapped into an empty net as City's defence looks on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Gomez puts Bayern in front!

Bayern bomb on after carelessness from City. Muller picked out Schweinsteiger with the cross, the latter having lost his man. He swiped at it from just yards out but somehow put it over. Golden chance.

Oh, he's missed!

Bayern played it to the edge of the box where Ribery lurked. The Frenchman tried first time but rather sliced the effort.

Here comes the corner...

Corner to Bayern after Kolo Toure gave away the ball high up the field. Ribery scampered forward thereafter.

Good save! Schweinsteiger hits a stinging effort that Hary dives on well. It was low and skidding nicely. Tidy save from Hart.

It's simmering, this match. Not quite boiling, but simmering. A watched pot, never boils, they say. Not sure whether that has any relevance, thought I'd mention it regardless.

Hart forced into action. Ribery thumps a skimming shot at goal and Hart gets down low to parry away. That respite was needed after a poor period from Bayern.

The momentum is now with City. They look strong.

Sloppy passing from Bayern, twice in a row. City are pressig very high, looking to capitalise.

Ribery swipes in a cross from the left but Hart is there to pluck the ball out of the air.

It is still very even. City perhaps looking the more dangerous when on the attack.

Yaya Youre trots up to a free-kick and bangs goalwards and Neuer dives to his right and gets his body behind it to claim.

Richards goes down in the box under a clumsy-looking challenge. Looks like a penalty to me. Again, though, nothing doing from the ref or linesman.

These two teams look well matched indeed.

Really bright run from Nasri at the heart of Bayern's defence but he is denied at the last by a bunch of red shirts.

City win a free-kick which Silva dinks into the box. Awful marking as Dzeko peels off his man and controls, but is soon then squeezed out of matters.

Television commentators are making the point that Clichy has so far looked a bit over-run with Rafinha getting forward. He needs Nasri to help him out.

Schweinsteiger has a pop from range. The shot was invited, but the German failed to take the chance, lifting the ball way over the bar from about 25 yards out.

Rafinha is not afraid to get forward, is he? Loves it.

Luiz Gustavo makes an important tackle on Silva. Looks a sharper customer, the Bayern player.

Great battle going on between Richards and Ribery.

Nasri hooks in the corner and Yaya Toure heads goalwards. But the effort from was quite a distance and was never really going to threaten. Keeper's ball.

Corner to City after Dzeko's shot is deflected out...

Rafinha skips down towards the byline and looks to cut in, but his pass finds no-one. Bit of a let off for City, that.

Tricky cross in from Bayern on the right wing and Gomez looks to pounce but Kompany is there to hack clear.

Wasteful pass forward from Kompany finds neither of his striking team-mates. Bayern back with the ball.

Rafinho bombs forward and fins himself in space to try a dipping half volley. The effort drops a few yards off target.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has a pop from about 25 yards out. The strike catches a deflection and that takes the power out of it. Hart is there with ease.

Wonderful burst of pace from Aguero looks to have set him free, but Bayern scramble back. Aguero then tries to drop a shoulder but his dinked trick goes out of play.

Bayern enjoying some of the ball now. Hart just received an iffy backpass, hoofing away to relieve the pressure.

Bayern probe, as the home fans faise the volume, but a through ball is wayward and skips out of play.

Chance! Richards fizzes in a low cross and Dzeko hits it first time. But it is rather central and Manuel Neuer smothers well.

Ok. David Silva had darted into the box and executed a smart tur. Boateng went in rashly and appeared to take Silva's leg away, the Spaniard hitting the deck. The ref did nothing and there were hardly any appeals, oddly.

Should that have been a penalty? I need a replay. One moment...

City play it tidily near Bayern's box but the move is nipped in the bud by a smart interception.

Now Barry earns a free-kick of his own after getting caught late.

Barry is penalised early on for a challenge where he had his studs showing. No card. Probaly the right call.

<b>Kick-off:</b> City get the game under way.

Here we go...

Jerome Boateng and Daniel Van Buyten face their former club this evening.

And the Champions League tune rings loud. The Chaaaaaaaaampiiiiiiiioooons, etc.

The two sides march out onto the pitch. The stadium appears packed.

The Allianz Arena looks immense all lit up and red.

Ryan Bell has also been in contacting. He feels is is "worth noting bayern haven't faced an attacking force on par with City yet, I think city will test them. A draw feels right."

A Champions League match has already taken place today, as Inter Milan played at CSKA Moscow. You can read the match report <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=331243&cc=5739">here</a>.

Daniel Davitt ponders: "That bayern lineup is stacked, and robben isn't even in the starting XI."

Another talking point surrounding City's line-up is Mancini's decision to stick with Dzeko and Aguero, leaving Tevez on the bench. Balotelli, who scored on the weekend, is suspended of course.

And also the Man City team in full: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Barry, Nasri, Aguero, Silva, Dzeko. Subs: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kolarov, Milner, De Jong, Tevez.

In case you missed it earlier, here is the Bayern team in full: Neuer, Van Buyten, Rafinha, Boateng, Lahm, Ribery, Luiz Gustavo, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Muller, Gomez. Subs: Butt, Contento, Robben, Usami, ALaba, Tymoshchuk, Petersen.

'reignofdalglish' muses: "I reckon City will lose out 1-3 with Mario Gomez the hero once again".

This is a huge night for Kolo Toure, who makes just his second appearance after serving his six-month ban. The Ivorian replaces Lescott at the heart of City's defence.

Contacting me via Twitter, 'E_L_Q' reckons City will fail in Munich this evening. Certainly this is a huge test for Roberto Mancini's men, with Bayern unbetean in nine matches in all competitions, while they haven't conceded in a goal in 838 minutes. Blimey.

A statistic for you. Only one English club has managed to beat Bayern Munich on their own patch: Norwich City won 2-1 at the Olympic stadium in the UEFA Cup back in October 1993.

To have your say on the match ahead why not get in touch via Twitter <b><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/JamesDallESPN">@JamesDallESPN</a></b>

<b>Bayern Munich starting XI:</b> Neuer, Rafinha, Van Buyten, Boateng, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Gustavo, Muller, Kroos, Ribery, Gomez.

<b>Manchester City starting XI:</b> Hart; Richards, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Clichy; Barry, Yaya Toure, Nasri, Silva; Aguero, Dzeko.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0927/bayernmunichhalf-timeentertainment_275x155.gif">

Oh, go on then, here's another...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0927/bavarianshoesandsocks_275x155.gif">

In the meanwhile, here is a photo...

Join me, James Dall, for live commentary of Manchester City's Champions League trip to Bundesliga side Bayern Munich. The match kicks off at 1945 BST, but we will bring you team news and pre-match chatter about 15 minutes prior to the game getting under way. Be there, or be square.

Bayern have now had 18 shots to City's seven.

Mancini cuts a hugely frustrated figure on the sidelines.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> And, with that, Nasri is replaced by Milner.

Nasri has been anonymous.

Milner's about to come on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Clichy is booked for a challenge from behind. The yellow looked harsh.

What a tackle. Aguero appears free and winds up to pull the trigger, but Boateng denies him in fine fashion. Class defending.

Barry makes an important sliding challenge as Bayern push on again.

City embark forward but Neuer is there quickly off his line to smother and reclaim possession.

Cheers are greeting each Bayern pass. This is the worst I have seen City play all season.

City are launching it at Aguero, the little Argentine. The ball is not sticking.

Ribery has a soft shot that Hart scoops up. Bayern are well on top here. City cannot keep the ball.

Apparently it is all going off on the bench. Mancini has put Dzeko in his place, but Tevez has also waded in, according to the touchline reporter. Very peculiar.

Dzeko has thrown a proper strop, by all accounts.

Ooo! Lahm swerves in a wicked cross and Gomez is unmarked. He should probably turn it home but gets the angle a little wrong. A huge chance to kill off this match.

Dzeko looks furious at that decision. Genuinely peeved.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> De Jong is coming on, for ... Dzeko. Weird one, Mancini.

Two key blocks just then as Bayern sent in a free-kick. K Toure, then Richards.

Kolo Toure looks to be struggling following that tackle. Limping, he is.

Kolo Toure there with a fine crunching tackle on Ribery. Little of the attacking note for City yet.

Ribery just held off Richards impressively. That's no mean feat.

Just when will Mancini opt for Tevez? Soon, you'd think.

Shambolic defending from City there with Kompany out of possession and Clichy failing to cut out a through ball.

Aguero is punished for a high boot. Heart in mouth stuff there as the ref looked to consider the second yellow.

Silva's been tenacious early on. Clearly trying to set an example.

One of the commentators just said Gomez has now scored 50 goals in his last 47 games for Bayern. REALLY?! Crikey.

<b>Kick-off:</b> Bayern get the second period started.

Speaing to the television interview man, City's David Platt says he and Mancini want more from their charges in the second half. We are about to get back under way.

I'm back. This is quite the task facing Mancini and his rich boys. Bayern have not conceded a goal since the opening day of the season.

Restroom break for me, then a drink of water. I am that crazy.

A decent half. City had two shouts for a penalty, but neither was given. Bayern rode out a sloppy period before upping the ante. Hart did everything he could to keep them at bay, but Gomez would not be denied, twice demonstrating his predatory instincts.

<b>Half-time: Bayern Munich 2-0 Manchester City</b>

A free-kick from the left is curled in and Gomez flicks it on. Hart saves at the near post, but Gomez reacts swiftly to tuck it home. 2-0.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Gomez makes it 2-0 to Bayern!

Now it is Bayern's turn for a penalty shout as Ribery is blocked off by Kompany. Could have been given, you know.

Bayern keeping it simply, eager to hold on until half-time.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Aguero is rightly carded for a poor tackle on Schweinsteiger.

City look for a leveler as Dzeko releases Richards. The Bosnian gets it back but sees his strike blocked.

Just how will City respond? They fought back to draw against Napoli, but that was at home, remember.

Ribery cuts in from the left and fires. Hart saves well but the rebound is turned goalwards by Muller. Hart saves again, emphatically, but the third effort is tapped into an empty net as City's defence looks on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Gomez puts Bayern in front!

Bayern bomb on after carelessness from City. Muller picked out Schweinsteiger with the cross, the latter having lost his man. He swiped at it from just yards out but somehow put it over. Golden chance.

Oh, he's missed!

Bayern played it to the edge of the box where Ribery lurked. The Frenchman tried first time but rather sliced the effort.

Here comes the corner...

Corner to Bayern after Kolo Toure gave away the ball high up the field. Ribery scampered forward thereafter.

Good save! Schweinsteiger hits a stinging effort that Hary dives on well. It was low and skidding nicely. Tidy save from Hart.

It's simmering, this match. Not quite boiling, but simmering. A watched pot, never boils, they say. Not sure whether that has any relevance, thought I'd mention it regardless.

Hart forced into action. Ribery thumps a skimming shot at goal and Hart gets down low to parry away. That respite was needed after a poor period from Bayern.

The momentum is now with City. They look strong.

Sloppy passing from Bayern, twice in a row. City are pressig very high, looking to capitalise.

Ribery swipes in a cross from the left but Hart is there to pluck the ball out of the air.

It is still very even. City perhaps looking the more dangerous when on the attack.

Yaya Youre trots up to a free-kick and bangs goalwards and Neuer dives to his right and gets his body behind it to claim.

Richards goes down in the box under a clumsy-looking challenge. Looks like a penalty to me. Again, though, nothing doing from the ref or linesman.

These two teams look well matched indeed.

Really bright run from Nasri at the heart of Bayern's defence but he is denied at the last by a bunch of red shirts.

City win a free-kick which Silva dinks into the box. Awful marking as Dzeko peels off his man and controls, but is soon then squeezed out of matters.

Television commentators are making the point that Clichy has so far looked a bit over-run with Rafinha getting forward. He needs Nasri to help him out.

Schweinsteiger has a pop from range. The shot was invited, but the German failed to take the chance, lifting the ball way over the bar from about 25 yards out.

Rafinha is not afraid to get forward, is he? Loves it.

Luiz Gustavo makes an important tackle on Silva. Looks a sharper customer, the Bayern player.

Great battle going on between Richards and Ribery.

Nasri hooks in the corner and Yaya Toure heads goalwards. But the effort from was quite a distance and was never really going to threaten. Keeper's ball.

Corner to City after Dzeko's shot is deflected out...

Rafinha skips down towards the byline and looks to cut in, but his pass finds no-one. Bit of a let off for City, that.

Tricky cross in from Bayern on the right wing and Gomez looks to pounce but Kompany is there to hack clear.

Wasteful pass forward from Kompany finds neither of his striking team-mates. Bayern back with the ball.

Rafinho bombs forward and fins himself in space to try a dipping half volley. The effort drops a few yards off target.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has a pop from about 25 yards out. The strike catches a deflection and that takes the power out of it. Hart is there with ease.

Wonderful burst of pace from Aguero looks to have set him free, but Bayern scramble back. Aguero then tries to drop a shoulder but his dinked trick goes out of play.

Bayern enjoying some of the ball now. Hart just received an iffy backpass, hoofing away to relieve the pressure.

Bayern probe, as the home fans faise the volume, but a through ball is wayward and skips out of play.

Chance! Richards fizzes in a low cross and Dzeko hits it first time. But it is rather central and Manuel Neuer smothers well.

Ok. David Silva had darted into the box and executed a smart tur. Boateng went in rashly and appeared to take Silva's leg away, the Spaniard hitting the deck. The ref did nothing and there were hardly any appeals, oddly.

Should that have been a penalty? I need a replay. One moment...

City play it tidily near Bayern's box but the move is nipped in the bud by a smart interception.

Now Barry earns a free-kick of his own after getting caught late.

Barry is penalised early on for a challenge where he had his studs showing. No card. Probaly the right call.

<b>Kick-off:</b> City get the game under way.

Here we go...

Jerome Boateng and Daniel Van Buyten face their former club this evening.

And the Champions League tune rings loud. The Chaaaaaaaaampiiiiiiiioooons, etc.

The two sides march out onto the pitch. The stadium appears packed.

The Allianz Arena looks immense all lit up and red.

Ryan Bell has also been in contacting. He feels is is "worth noting bayern haven't faced an attacking force on par with City yet, I think city will test them. A draw feels right."

A Champions League match has already taken place today, as Inter Milan played at CSKA Moscow. You can read the match report <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=331243&cc=5739">here</a>.

Daniel Davitt ponders: "That bayern lineup is stacked, and robben isn't even in the starting XI."

Another talking point surrounding City's line-up is Mancini's decision to stick with Dzeko and Aguero, leaving Tevez on the bench. Balotelli, who scored on the weekend, is suspended of course.

And also the Man City team in full: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Barry, Nasri, Aguero, Silva, Dzeko. Subs: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kolarov, Milner, De Jong, Tevez.

In case you missed it earlier, here is the Bayern team in full: Neuer, Van Buyten, Rafinha, Boateng, Lahm, Ribery, Luiz Gustavo, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Muller, Gomez. Subs: Butt, Contento, Robben, Usami, ALaba, Tymoshchuk, Petersen.

'reignofdalglish' muses: "I reckon City will lose out 1-3 with Mario Gomez the hero once again".

This is a huge night for Kolo Toure, who makes just his second appearance after serving his six-month ban. The Ivorian replaces Lescott at the heart of City's defence.

Contacting me via Twitter, 'E_L_Q' reckons City will fail in Munich this evening. Certainly this is a huge test for Roberto Mancini's men, with Bayern unbetean in nine matches in all competitions, while they haven't conceded in a goal in 838 minutes. Blimey.

A statistic for you. Only one English club has managed to beat Bayern Munich on their own patch: Norwich City won 2-1 at the Olympic stadium in the UEFA Cup back in October 1993.

To have your say on the match ahead why not get in touch via Twitter <b><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/JamesDallESPN">@JamesDallESPN</a></b>

<b>Bayern Munich starting XI:</b> Neuer, Rafinha, Van Buyten, Boateng, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Gustavo, Muller, Kroos, Ribery, Gomez.

<b>Manchester City starting XI:</b> Hart; Richards, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Clichy; Barry, Yaya Toure, Nasri, Silva; Aguero, Dzeko.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0927/bayernmunichhalf-timeentertainment_275x155.gif">

Oh, go on then, here's another...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0927/bavarianshoesandsocks_275x155.gif">

In the meanwhile, here is a photo...

Join me, James Dall, for live commentary of Manchester City's Champions League trip to Bundesliga side Bayern Munich. The match kicks off at 1945 BST, but we will bring you team news and pre-match chatter about 15 minutes prior to the game getting under way. Be there, or be square.