By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- To call Bayern Munich the underdogs in the last 16 duel of the Champions League against Premier League outfits Liverpool FC this Tuesday evening might be exaggerated.
But statistics don't speak for much optimism when it comes to Anfield Road. None of the 17 games could be won by German clubs. Now Bayern Munich is trying to break the vicious circle and remembers two goalless draws achieved in 1971 and 1981.
The decisive question Bayern's coach Niko Kovac is trying to answer is what is the appropriate strategy to survive Liverpool's furious attacking football?
The Bavarian's coach has two options: To either batten down the hatches or count on active resistance. Both options require particular actions. The key decision seems to be Kovac's midfield line-up.
The closing-all-doors strategy could mean to rely on Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez on the "six" behind Leon Goretzka as the inspiring source behind the front line.
Former German internationals such as Stefan Effenberg, Lothar Matthaeus and Dietmar Hamann recommend Martinez due to his fighting spirit.
Bayern's problems in the defense have become all too evident over the past months as the team three times conceived two goals and five times three. "Every shot of opponent teams seems to lead to a goal. This has been a problem over the entire season," Kovac complained.
Kovac's conclusion: "We must keep the spaces closed between the lines and the entire team has to be involved when moving forward or backward. The back-row and the midfield line must keep their position even when we are attacking."
The active-resistance-strategy could mean to count on Thiago and Goretzka on the "six" and rely on the brilliant passing abilities of James Rodriguez. "Everyone knows about James' quality, but I am sure he can do much better," Kovac commented.
Media reports spoke about Kovac considering the active resistance option.
Kovac's final choice could well be influenced by the fact that Jerome Boateng (stomach flu) and Franck Ribery didn't travel to Liverpool on Monday morning. While Boateng is definitely side-lined, it could be Franck Ribery join the team with some delay after his fifth child was born. To have the French winger around is overall important for Kovac as Kingsley Coman couldn't attend full training lately due to an injury and Arjen Robben is injured too.
"The first challenge is not to receive a goal," Effenberg said. "Then we talk about Bayern scoring a goal." Bayern is increasing its chances to proceed to the next round by achieving a satisfying result in the first leg, Effenberg told Xinhua.
In the second leg, played on March 13, Effenberg is expecting Bayern to be the attacking team and refers to Liverpool's defeats in away games such as in Naples (1-0), Belgrade (2-0) and Paris (2-1).
The Reds seem far from in best condition when having to play abroad, says Effenberg, but "they are a great force at home."
The 50-year-old former German international and Bayern midfielder says Bayern needs to go beyond its limits to survive in Liverpool.
While Mats Hummels and Niklas Suele are expected to act as Bayern's central defenders' doubts remain regarding goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is suffering from an injury at his right thumb having missed three games.
David Alaba and Joshua Kimmich are seated as left and right back. Bayern's front line is expected with Coman and Serge Gnabry Robert Lewandowski spearheading and Ribery as an additional option.
