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Bayern Munich and Arsenal meet in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday, both hoping European success will help lift mid-season gloom on domestic fronts.
Bayern is on track for a record-extending fifth consecutive title with a seven-point lead thanks to their 2-0 win over Ingolstadt.
But that result does not tell the whole story, with the German champions looking lackluster for most of the match before snatching two goals in the final minutes.
The Bavarians have been more a model of efficiency under coach Carlo Ancelotti than the high-scoring, high-speed train of past seasons under predecessor Pep Guardiola.
With fans grumbling about the lack of spark, Ancelotti said Saturday’s win gave them the boost needed to take on Arsenal.
Bayern has posted a record 15 straight home wins in the competition, including three this season. Arsen Wenger’s Arsenal has lost in the last 16 for six years in a row, including to Bayern in 2013 and 2014.
“We have had bad experiences against them (Bayern),” said Wenger of their past eliminations, including one back in 2005. “But I feel that this is a good opportunity. We have won there before and we play the first game away from home, so it is important we protect the second game because I feel that to have a chance to qualify in the second leg, that will be very important.”
Meanwhile in Wednesday’s second match, Real Madrid will be severely tested in a showdown against a Napoli side that has developed its own invincible aura.
La Liga leaders Real were riding high as they set a Spanish record 40-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. That run was snapped by Sevilla last month and now Napoli has taken up the hardest team to beat in Europe, stringing together 18 games without defeat.
Real captain Sergio Ramos said his team needed to underline their credentials on Wednesday ahead of the return leg at Napoli’s notoriously atmospheric San Paolo stadium. “Napoli are strong opponents on a very good run and we’ll try and keep a clean sheet so we can have a more comfortable trip over there,” the defender said in a broadcast for Facebook Live on Monday.
Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik, who returned to the squad for Friday’s 2-0 win over Genoa but stayed on the bench for four months with a knee injury, could make his comeback against Real.
Belgium forward Dries Mertens has taken on the team’s attacking responsibilities in Milik’s absence, plundering 13 goals in his last 10 games and inspiring a run of seven wins and one draw in 2017, taking Napoli to third in Serie A.
An estimated 10,000 Napoli supporters, including the team’s most famous player Diego Maradona, are expected to make the trip to the Spanish capital for the first competitive meeting with Real Madrid since 1987.
In addition, Jose Callejon and Raul Albiol will face their former side for the first time.
“We’re feeling the fans’ support a lot. The Bernabeu is an intimidating stadium to play at but the only way to get past Real Madrid is to be brave and go there with intent,” Napoli and Spain goalkeeper Pepe Reina told radio station Onda Cero.