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IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR PHILIPS - In this image released on Thursday, Aug 13, 2015, FC Bayern Munich kick off the new season with a colorful display both on and off the pitch as the Allianz Arena gets a facelift with cutting-edge LED technology from Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting. It’s distinctive inflatable outer membrane can now be lit with a palette of 16 million different colors as opposed to the previous red, white and blue. More than 300,00 LEDs, were fitted which would cover 7,5 km if strung together and have a life-span of 80,00 hours-the equivalent of 53,000 league matches which in turn save 60% less electricity and cut CO2 emissions by approximately 362 tons per year. Fans will be treated to the spectacle at the team’s season opener against Hamburger SV. Images and press release available at http://www.apassignments.com/multimedia-newsroom#fc-bayern-munich-make-glowing-start-to-season. (Christoph Mukherjee/AP Images for Philips)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR PHILIPS - In this image released on Thursday, Aug 13, 2015, FC Bayern Munich kick off the new season with a colorful display both on and off the pitch as the Allianz Arena gets a facelift with cutting-edge LED technology from Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting. It’s distinctive inflatable outer membrane can now be lit with a palette of 16 million different colors as opposed to the previous red, white and blue. More than 300,00 LEDs, were fitted which would cover 7,5 km if strung together and have a life-span of 80,00 hours-the equivalent of 53,000 league matches which in turn save 60% less electricity and cut CO2 emissions by approximately 362 tons per year. Fans will be treated to the spectacle at the team’s season opener against Hamburger SV. Images and press release available at http://www.apassignments.com/multimedia-newsroom#fc-bayern-munich-make-glowing-start-to-season. (Christoph Mukherjee/AP Images for Philips)Christoph Mukherjee/Associated Press

Bayern Munich vs. Benfica: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Clark WhitneyApr 4, 2016

Bayern Munich host Benfica on Tuesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-finals tie. Having downed Zenit St Petersburg in the first knockout round, the Portuguese side will find a huge challenge in their next opponents, who have been among the favorites to win the tournament all season long.

The Bavarians were most likely relieved at having been drawn with Benfica last month, avoiding powerhouses like Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. But Pep Guardiola and his players will be wary of the threat their opponents can pose, having lost the first leg of last season's quarter-finals tie to an unfavored FC Porto by a two-goal margin.

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Bayern managed to win their most recent fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt by a 1-0 margin, but Robert Lewandowski warned his side that they must improve if they are to take a positive result from their next fixture. 

"We definitely already had Tuesday's Champions League game against Benfica on our minds," the Poland international admitted, according to ESPN. "But we're going to have to play much, much better in that game."

By contrast, Benfica had a dream warm-up for the match on Friday. The Portuguese hammered Sporting Braga by a 5-1 margin.

"It was brilliant performance," said trainer Rui Vitoria, per the club's official website. "It was a deserved, resounding win and three very important points."

However, Vitoria admitted that his side would need to be at their very best against Bayern: "Now we are going to think on Munich. It will be very difficult, but we are up for the challenge."

Date: Tuesday, April 5

Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET/8:45 p.m. local time

Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich

TV Info: FS1 (U.S. only), BT Sport 2 (UK only)

Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S. only), BT Sport Player (UK only)

Form Guide

Bayern Munich Benfica
Eintracht Frankfurt: Win Braga: Win
Cologne: Win Boavista: Win
Juventus: Win Tondela: Win
Werder Bremen: Win Zenit: Win
Borussia Dortmund: Draw Sporting: Win

Team News

Bayern Munich

After missing recent internationals, Medhi Benatia and Arjen Robben are doubtful for Tuesday's action. Long-term absentees Jerome Boateng and Holger Badstuber, meanwhile, are certain to watch from the stands.

Possible Bayern starting XI: Neuer; Lahm, Martinez, Kimmich, Alaba; Vidal, Alonso; Coman, Muller, Costa; Lewandowski.

Benfica

The Portuguese side will welcome back Mario Jardel from suspension, but they will have to manage without Lisandro Lopez, Luisao, Nuno Santos and Julio Cesar in their trip to Munich.

Possible Benfica starting XI: Moraes; Silvio, Jardel, Nilsson, Eliseu; Sanches, Samaris; Pizzi, Jonas, Gaitan; Mitroglou.

Players to Watch

Lewandowski and Thomas Muller will be Bayern's main danger-men, as they have been throughout the season.

Kingsley Coman has also stepped up lately and was perhaps the Bavarians' best player in March. With Douglas Costa's form having cooled somewhat since the fall, the Frenchman has been a revelation.

For Benfica, youngster Renato Sanches is worth a watch as he looks to compete with Bayern's established superstars.

On the wing, Nico Gaitan will look to be the visitors' source of magic, while striker Mitroglou's physicality could pose problems for Bayern's back line.

Key Battles

Thomas Muller vs. Nico Gaitan

Muller has come up aces again and again for Bayern this season, with his late equalizer against Juventus and assist to Thiago for the go-ahead goal being crucial towards putting the Bavarians through to the quarter-finals. He's in great form and will look to make the difference once more.

Gaitan has been to Benfica what Muller has been to Bayern, albeit with different attributes. The Argentine winger played a hand in all three of his side's goals against Zenit, and leads his team in both goals (four) and assists (three) in this season's Champions League.

If Benfica are to stand a chance to progress, they'll need two big performances from Gaitan.

Arturo Vidal vs. Renato Sanches

Vidal has been outstanding for Bayern in key games as of late, particularly in the Champions League. When at his best, the Chilean is an absolute monstera combination of fine dribbling and passing skills, and brute strength and aggression. The Bundesliga side will look for him to control the game in midfield.

Opposite Vidal will play 18-year-old Renato Sanches, one of football's most promising central midfielders but a player who still has much to prove. He has an excellent work rate and good skill in the center of the park, which could be hugely important for the visitors.

Odds (courtesy of Odds Shark)

Bayern: 1/4

Draw: 5/1

Benfica9/1

@Mr_Bundesliga

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