CSKA Moscow vs. Bayern Munich, 2014 UEFA Champions League

Bayern will chase their second win of the group stages against CSKA Moscow in an empty stadium on Tuesday.


Thanks to their stoppage time winner against Manchester City in their first group stage match, Bayern Munich enter Tuesday's match against CSKA Moscow is pretty good shape. They sit at the top of the group with AS Roma, behind the Italian side on goal differential, and could move into the top spot depending on what happens when Roma faces off against City.

Despite the fact that the Germans are missing several starters due to injuries, Pep Guardiola's side remains loaded with talent and extremely capable of getting a comfortable result. While CSKA have been playing well in the Russian Premier League, their first UCL outing was a complete disaster as Roma handed them a 5-1 loss.

Returning home to Moscow may not help them either. CSKA have only won once in their last seven Champions League home matches, with five losses and one draw. This is the second straight season that these two teams have met in the Champions League group stages. Bayern won's last year's match in Moscow 3-1.

Key Player: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

The Polish striker was brought it to be the man in the center of the Bayern attack, with an eye on the Champions League especially. Lewandowski was a menace to everyone's society during his time playing for Dormtund in Europe and Bayern knew that when they signed him. He was alright against City, but he was also having to deal with Vincent Kompany who has a superb match. He was easily the man of the match despite Bayern's win, so one expect Lewa should have an easier time of it on Tuesday against CSKA's defense.

Key Matchup: Both team's psychology vs. An empty stadium

Thanks to some rather awful behavior from CSKA supporters last December in a Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen, Tuesday's match will be played behind closed doors in Moscow. No CSKA fans, no Bayern fans, just a lot of empty seats and everything the players yell echoing through the cavernous void. While teams have likely played scrimmages in similar conditions, to play a meaningful European match in an empty stadium will likely be a weird experience. Once things get going it should be business as usual, but there's always a chance someone could be strangely affected by the lack of noise.

CKSA Moscow injuries and suspensions

Out: Pontus Wernbloom (suspended), Alan Dzagoev (suspended), Rasmus Elm (stomach), Vitinho (ankle).

Barcelona injuries and suspensions

Out: Holger Badstuber (thigh), Javi Martinez (knee), Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee), Thiago Alcántara (knee). In Doubt: Franck Ribéry (knee).

Bayern's injury list remains packed with big names as Javi Martinez, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcántara all remain sidelined with knee injuries. Defender Holger Badstuber is out as well with a thigh problem. Winger Franck Ribéry could be available if his knee is well enough, but it seems more likely that Mario Götze will start in his place on the left wing.

Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 8 p.m. local, 12 p.m. ET

Venue: Stadion Lokomotiv, Moscow, Russia

TV: DirecTV, FOX Soccer Plus, ESPN Deportes (U.S.), Sky Sports 5/HD (U.K.), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sport 1/HD (Germany), NTV Russia, NTV+ Football (Russia)

Online: FOX Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), SkyGo (U.K.), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany), NTV+ Sport Online (Russia)

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