CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16: BAYERN V LIVERPOOL: THE BLOOD SEEPS THROUGH THE CRACKS

So.....
        The Round of 16 in the Champions league is finally set and we have our matchups. We're getting bang for our buck with these contests, with exciting potential  and youth facing off against steely experience and veteran leadership, old foes and friends facing off, an insanely titanic tie that will cause one sure-fire contender to not advance and what we've got is a very balanced and evenly matched Round of 16.
TELL US WHO YOU THINK WILL WIN BELOW!!!! BAYERN V LIVERPOOL

     The granddaddy of them all.
     Bayern v Liverpool sounds like a final, doesn't it? That's because it could've been, but thanks to the competitive structure of the Champions League, one of these big sides (Liverpool) has taken 2nd place in their group, setting up this titanic offering.
     We've seen Liverpool battle PSG twice, winning at Anfield and losing in Paris. We've seen them draw and then narrowly lose to Manchester City, as well. 
     We've seen Bayern struggle against Ajax and in Bundesliga competition, but as they've begun to grow healthier through the notable returns of Kingsley Coman and Thiago Alcantara or the arrival of Serge Gnabry, all the above has raised their level.
     They've had injuries continue to occur with Ribery and Robben, though with the emergence of  former Arsenal youth product Gnabry beginning to score goals and dish assists while forming a partnership with the ever-prolific Robert Lewandowski, Bayern have the depth to overcome the losses of their aging star wingers. 

        Going into the tie, Liverpool look best: they've been unassailable with Alisson in goal, keeping 16 clean sheets on the season so far. 
        Although we have to be in reality with Liverpool's shaken up defense as of late: Virgil Van Dijk will be suspended on yellow card accumulation for the first leg, another center back Croatian Dejan Lovren, is facing an important week to get fit in time for the first leg, as is Joe Gomez. 
       This is a potentially catastrophic situation for Liverpool, with Joel Matip being the only fit and available center back if Lovren or Gomez cannot make it. 

Klopp will have to trust Matip

       For such a strong defensive unit to be so vulnerable against Bayern Munich's rampant attack of Lewandowski, Gnabry, Coman and Kimmich is something to be extremely worried about. Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka's runs from deep have been troubling Bundesliga and Champions league defenses all season, too, with Goretzka being an unheralded but increasingly valuable part of Bayern's squad.
     On the other sideline...Liverpool have begun to win matches differently this season, utilizing patience, stamina, athleticism and a profound chemistry on the ball to drain and strangle opponents, though could they do this against Bayern with a piecemeal back line?
      This isn't the Heavy Metal football of the last three years of Klopp's Liverpool reign: this is a far more efficient and calculated tactical nous that has befuddled and frustrated many who've played the Reds this season. 

      Without the key passing figures of VVD and his underrated vision out of the back or his bullish strength and Dejan Lovren, who's play from the back has always been underrated, Liverpool may not be able to stamp their authority in the first leg as Klopp would've drawn it up. 
        Either they will have to be even more pass-happy and patient or Klopp's men could try to go toe to toe in attack, with the full knowledge of Bayern's defensive fragility. 
      As for Bayern themselves, there's genuine fear and weirdness around  the entire Bayern Munich squad and coaching staff that they have to deliver in the Champions League.

Bayern manager Niko Kovac will lose his job if Bayern fail to progress.

    
     This is a legitimate Champions League Final squad if new under-fire manager Niko Kovac can continue to rotate responsibly and keep the squad fit and ready for the biggest of matches in this, the business end of the season.
     So far, with Ribery and Robben's bodies falling below the mark and only Ribery taking part in matches as of late (5 goals 0 assists this season), Kovac hasn't been able to keep the Robbery faction on the pitch whether alone or together for very long all season. 
    Yet this isn't on Niko Kovac, as we've seen him sustain and gradually pace Thiago Alcantara back from yet another injury earlier in the fall. Now, we see Thiago Alcantara has been playing full matches for quite some time and if sustained, Alcantara could lead Bayern through Liverpool. 

      Although Manuel Neuer's return this campaign hasn't restored faith in the Bayern defense:
     The back line has been a never ending carousel of Mats Hummels, Niklas Sule, veteran Spaniard (who's been at Bayern forever) Javi Martinez,  Jerome Boateng and even left back David Alaba coming into the center of defense. Rampant miscommunication, Hummels positionally falling asleep on counter attacks and an overall lack of speed all killing Bayern in defense.  
    Who's going to join Mats Hummels at center back? It better be someone faster....but it will most likely be Jerome Boateng, but still question marks abound as to his general fitness and form. Is Javi Martinez, or even Alaba at LCB the best option here, speed-wise to contain Salah, Mane and Shaqiri?
     This is a Munchen defense that has been porous, allowing 32 goals in all competitions and keeping a meager 10 clean sheets. 
      Against Liverpool, that will not be enough to stop the SMF trio. 
      Expect a goal-fest, because early goals will occur that will force  a response.  

       Look for Naby Keita to finally break out, Xherdan Shaqiri to get one over on his former side, Bayern duo Thiago Alcantara and future captain Joshua Kimmich to score goals and assist them with reckless abandon, Sadio Mane to go ham alongside James Milner who will deliver goals for Liverpool and, thanks to a cold-blooded Milner penalty in extra time of the 2nd leg, Liverpool get through.

PREDICTION:
1ST LEG: 3-2 Liverpool 
2ND LEG: 3-3 After extra time 
(Liverpool advance 6-5)


Oh yeah we also think this:


ATLETICO V JUVENTUS

PREDICTION:
1ST LEG: 1-1
2ND LEG:1-1 penalties 
(Atletico advances on penalties)