Champions League: Bayern Munich host familiar foes Manchester City

Munich GermanyFor the fifth time in four years European giants Bayern Munich and Manchester City will play each other in the Champions League group stages The opening game in Group E on Wednesday sees the German and English champions meet in Munichs Allianz Arena where City came back from two goals down to win 32 in their final group game last DecemberWhile City went on to lose to Barcelona in the last 16 group winners Bayern were hammered 50 over two legs by eventual winners Real Madrid in the semifinals Bayern sit joint top of the Bundesliga after three matches but they have a lengthy injury list going into their first European matchBayern Munichs Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben takes part in a training session on the eve of the first leg UEFA Champions League Group E football match FC Bayern Munich vs Manchester City in Munich southern Germany on September 16 2014 PicAFPMidfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger Javi Martinez and Thiago are all out with knee injuries and the Bavarians suffered another blow on Saturday when Holger Badstuber limped off with a thigh injury in the 20 win over VfB StuttgartBadstuber had recently returned from 20 months out with a double cruciate ligament injury and in his absence new signing Mehdi Benatia could make his debut on Wednesday in the home defence One bright spot for Bayern at the weekend was the return of Franck Ribery following a knee problemThe French midfielder made his first appearance of the season against Stuttgart coming off the bench in the second half to score Bayerns second goal with five minutes remaining Were currently in a very difficult situation at the moment because we have a lot of players injured and players who are not yet fully fit Ribery said But were trying to make the best of it Were doing everything we can so that we can still get resultsRiberys decision to concentrate on club football was criticised last week by UEFA President Michel Platini who suggested that the 31yearold could be forced to serve a ban should he refuse a callup to the France squad Ribery who scored in Bayerns 31 win over City in Manchester last October has dismissed his fellow countrymans comments It doesnt really interest me Ribery saidIve decided to retire and people have to accept that Bayern captain Philipp Lahm also retired from international football this summer after leading Germany to World Cup glory The 30yearold is hungry for more success before his career ends though particularly in the Champions League I want to get my hands on the trophy again whether its this season or in the three years that follow he told KickerWith the squad we have at the moment we have a chance to win the title Twotime Champions League winner Xabi Alonso is set to make his first appearance for Bayern in the competition since his move from Real Madrid City ended Bayerns 10game winning streak in the Champions League when they last met But Alonso hopes his new club can get their revenge on Wednesday before facing other Group E opponents CSKA Moscow and Roma Manchester City are among the 10 best teams in Europe he saidBut we want to get the points Bayern manager Pep Guardiola and City boss Manuel Pellegrini know each other well from Spanish football ExBarcelona coach Guardiola already faced the Chilean when he was in charge of Real Madrid Villarreal and Malaga Pellegrini will serve a touchline ban on Wednesday while he will also be without Argentine fullback Pablo Zabaleta after he was sent off against Barcelona last seasonMartin Demichelis who scored Citys late equaliser in a 22 draw with Arsenal on Saturday returns to his former club It will be extremely emotional for me because Bayern were the club that gave me the chance to come to Europe and play the Argentine defender said The Bayern defence should feature exCity centre back Jerome Boateng