Bayern Munich have now won six matches on the bounce across all competitions and they have not lost since shock 2-1 loss to FC Augsburg back towards the end of January. From their last six matches, they’ve outscored their opponents by 20 goals to 6 and have an 11-point gap at the top of the Bundesliga table. A treble is still well within the reaches of Vincent Kompany’s side and they’ll be looking to take their positive momentum into the Champions League Round of 16 matches vs. Atalanta; first in Bergamo,
then in Munich.
Ahead of the round of 16 showdown, Michael Olise spoke to FC Bayern’s official website and explained that Atalanta cannot be underestimated in the slightest and that he’s delighted Bayern have the second leg at the Allianz Arena.
“If they’re at this point of the competition, they’re a good team. We just have to be at our best and then win. It’s definitely important to have the second leg at home. Because if you win in the first leg, it’s harder [for them] to come to the Allianz and win. And if you’re down, you have the home support to keep pushing and put pressure on them. You feel the fans behind you, so that’s extra motivation,” Olise stressed (via @iMiaSanMia).
There’s certainly reason for Bayern to be wary and cautious. Atalanta have been a bit of a Bundesliga killer in recent history in European competition. In addition to knocking out Borussia Dortmund in the playoff rounds of this season in the Champions League, they’ve also beaten Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 Europa League final, VfB Stuttgart in the 2024/25 Champions League, and RB Leipzig in the 2021/22 Europa League. From a total of 13 matches against German clubs, the Serie A side have a record of 7 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses, though they have never faced Bayern in a competitive match.
It’s all to play for between Atalanta and Bayern and whoever advances from this tie will go on to face the winner of the Real Madrid and Manchester City tie.
