Manchester City beings their Champions League campaign in a very familiar grouping on Wednesday night. The team is once again paired in the same group as Pep Guardiola, one they played well in last season. Now, they return to face off in a big match against the German champions Bayern Munich who is starting their season off just as strongly as last year. Man City will not have manager Manuel Pellegrini to rely on after he received a two-match ban for comments regarding the team's loss to Barcelona last year.
Man City and Munich return as two of the best teams in Europe which will make for an exciting opening match. Manchester City has struggled in big European games over the past two years and now they are looking to prove they have what it takes. After winning two of three Premier League titles, Manchester City wants to prove their talent in all of Europe. The groupings have never worked in their favor and this year could be much of the same having to face off against Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich has one concern, injuries. Franck Ribery returned to the team, scoring one of the two goals for the win after missing the World Cup and provide a spark to the roster. Injuries are forcing the team to get young recruits like Xabi Alonso and Mehdi Benatia up to speed which is why the team has yet to look totally together yet this year. Alonso is quickly moving along in German football as he has solid ball handling skills. Benatia still has a way to go.
Manchester City also has to deal without having Pellegrini which will make getting the team going a tough one. Assistant Ruben Cousillas Fuse will control the team against Bayern Munich. Man City will need their manager as this year comes with high expectations. They came back against Arsenal on Saturday after being down 2-1 which betters their chances against Munich.
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