FC Bayern: Review of QF Tie Against Marseille, Preview of Derby and More!

Olic, Olic, Ivica Olic!

Jupp Heynckes made some rather surprising changes to the team against Marseille. Arjen Robben and Mario Gomez were both rested. Ivica Olic and Anatoliy Tymoschchuk slotted into the team.

Olic scored two "poacher's goals" in the first half. Everyone's favourite "energizer bunny" was injured for the entirety of last season. When he made his comeback this season, he injured himself when he scored against HSV.

In 2012, Olic has found himself on the bench thanks to Mario Gomez's brilliant form.

He did score a vital equalizer against HSV though. Olic ran his heart out on Wednesday and was given a standing ovation when he went off. Prior to the game, Olic thought Heynckes was surely joking when he gave Olic the news that he was going to be starting. The date that day was April 1st—April Fool's Day!

Franck Ribery played like a man possessed; he seemingly wanted revenge for the treatment he was given by the Marseille fans. Indeed Ribery admitted afterwards that the reception he received at Marseille did not please him at all. Ribery combined excellently with David Alaba.

Previously, everyone thought of Alaba as nothing more than a good squad player. He  might turn into a great player and take over Philipp Lahm's opposite flank permanently considering that he is growing more and more into the left-back role with every match. Besides Alaba, Manuel Neuer played a terrific match. Lest we forget, the matches against Madrid will be Neuer's second Champions League semi-final in a row.

As far as cards are considered, Alaba received one. The players at risk of suspension did not receive any cautions meaning everybody will be available for the semi-finals. Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos were both substituted in the match. They were both at risk of incurring suspensions.

Now, Bayern is seriously challenging for the treble.

A cup final already awaits in May against Dortmund in Berlin. The semi-finals of the Champions League await. Bayern has a good record against Real. As far as I am concerned, records count for almost nothing unless we are referring to Bayern's matches against either of the Milan sides.

Real Madrid is yet to face a club from Germany, Spain, Italy or England in this season's Champions League. This is by far Real's toughest test so far in the competition. Jose Mourinho knows Bayern well having beaten them in the final of this very competition in 2010. Mourinho knows how to beat every team and is by far the shrewdest coach in football.

I would be lying if I was to say that I am not excited for this tie.

However, for everyone involved, fans have to remember that Bayern's defence can be porous. They might have conceded only twice in the last eight matches. However, there are at least two "heart in mouth" moments as far as the defence is concerned in every match. Real has a brilliant attack and has been scoring for fun. As the old adage goes "hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

Next up, Bayern plays Augsburg.

Augsburg is in a good run of form right now. They have not lost in their last six Bundesliga matches. They are fourteenth in the league. Augsburg was as good as relegated in the first half of the season. If they do survive, they could turn out to be this season's fairy-tale rather than Gladbach due to their change in fortunes from a contender for relegation to a title contender.

The reverse tie in this fixture was not comfortable at all. Bayern won 1-2. However, the game could have very easily ended in a draw. Derbies are not comfortable affairs as we all know and neither should they be. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk was sent off in the match in Augsburg this season. Bayern had led comfortably thanks to goals from Gomez and Ribery, however a Hajime Hosogai strike in the 59th minute made the last half hour awfully uncomfortable.

For this match, Luiz Gustavo will be suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last week against Nuremberg. Bastian Schweinsteiger returns after his suspension against Marseille. No news has come out on Mueller—he seemed to have picked up a slight knock against Marseille. He seemed okay though and was perhaps taken off early on just as a precaution.

Considering that Bayern plays Dortmund on Wednesday, Jupp will definitely tinker with his line-up again. This game could turn out to be just like the one against Nuremberg. This I think will be the line-up:

Manuel Neuer

Philipp Lahm—Holger Badstuber—Jerome Boateng—Diego Contento

Bastian Schweinsteiger—Anatoliy Tymoshcuk

Arjen Robben—Thomas Mueller (Toni Kroos)—Franck Ribery (Danijel Pranjic)

Mario Gomez

Schweinsteiger needs games under his belt, and he showed last week that he was fit enough against Nuremberg. Kroos really deserves a rest after playing so many matches. Ribery deserves a rest too.

If anyone is indispensable for Bayern, it is Philipp Lahm. Lahm requires a rest as well but this is one person who can only be rested if Bayern is guaranteed victory in this match early on.

Finally, Mario Gomez penned a new deal, which will see him remain at the club till 2016. This comes as great news—expect more comical goals in the coming years as well as more records being broken by Bayern's favourite striker.

At this point of the season, I am absolutely nerve wrecked and hence won't make any predictions. I would like to hear your thoughts on the match and what you think the final result might turn out to be.