Preview: Atalanta look to surprise Bayern in Champions League knockouts | OneFootball

Atalanta will be hoping they can produce another shock against a German side in the Champions League as they host six-time champions Bayern Munich in the first leg of their round of 16 contest.

Quarter-finalists in 2020, Atalanta are the last Italian team remaining in the competition, and stopped a potential Der Klassiker by dumping out 2024 finalists finalists Borussia Dortmund 4-3 on aggregate.

They face one of the competition favourites in Bayern Munich, who are 11 points clear of Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga, with normal service having has resumed following Bayer Leverkusen’s incredible 23/24 season.

Atalanta will be bolstered by an impressive 2-1 victory over Napoli in their last league outing, making it one defeat in their last 12 league games – dating back to December against Inter Milan.

Their form hasn’t done much in terms of league position, however, as Atalanta currently sit 7th in the league and sit five points off a Champions League place.

The team from Bergamo will be hoping to welcome back midfielder Edersen after he was rested against Napoli over the weekend due to fitness concerns, yet they will still be without Charles De Ketelaere and Giorgio Scalvini.

Munich head into Tuesday’s match-up on the back of 20 games without defeat, their last loss coming against Arsenal when they lost 3-1 in the league phase.

Vincent Kompany’s side were knocked out by eventual finalists Inter Milan last season and will be looking for revenge against an Italian side this time round.

Bayern have scored a remarkable 92 goals in 25 games, largely put down to the electrifying form of England striker Harry Kane and his 30 league goals with nine matches still to play.

Vincent Kompany’s side will be hoping to add a seventh Champions League to their trophy cabinet – their first since 2020 – but face a difficult path with either Real Madrid or Manchester City set to face the winner of this tie.

The German side will be without key players in Manuel Neuer and Canadian wing-back Alphonso Davies whilst defender Hiroki Ito is also expected to miss the first leg at least.

Kane is particularly someone Atalanta need to watch out for, as is winger Luis Diaz, who have scored a combined 44 goals, as Kane targets the first European trophy of his career.

The game gets underway at 20:00 (GMT) at the Gerwiss Stadium, with live coverage on TNT Sports.