Bayern Munich vs Atalanta Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Round of 16

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The tie may well be done and dusted as the second-leg takes place at the Allianz Arena, but Atalanta will want to restore some pride against Bayern Munich. 

Kick-off date/time: 18 March 2026 at 8:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – CBS Sports

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – Paramount+

Bayern Munich preview: Brilliant Bavarians

The reason as to why the first-leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie is all done and dusted, Bayern Munich annihilated Atalanta by six goals to one in Bergamo – with Harry Kane injured and left on the bench against the Italians.

Vincent Kompany’s side have since shared a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena at the weekend, leaving the hosts sitting nine points clear of Borussia Dortmund at the top-of-the-table.

Atalanta preview: Want to restore their pride

Atalanta, with Raffaele Palladino at the helm, have been improved in the last few months but they will be immensely frustrated by that extremely weak and open performance against the Bavarians last week.

The Bergamasci were able to pull off an immense comeback against German opposition, the aforementioned Dortmund, in the knockout playoff round but they would need more than a miracle this time around.

Bayern Munich team news: Goalkeeping issues

There is an expectation that Jonas Urbig can get himself back fit but that is crucial because Manuel Neuer is expected to be sidelined, while Sven Ulreich is a confirmed absentee for the Bavarians.

Jonathan Tah, Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson are suspended in the Bundesliga and so they will get their rest at the weekend - while it remains unlikely for Harry Kane to be risked in what is essentially a dead rubber.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Stanisic, Kim, Tah, Guerreiro; Goretzka, Pavlovic; Karl, Bischof, Diaz; Jackson

Unavailable: Ulreich (Injured), Ito (Injured), Davies (Injured), Kimmich (Suspended), Musiala (Injured), Olise (Suspended)

Questionable: Neuer (Injured), Urbig (Concussion)

Atalanta team news: Musah suspended

United States international midfielder Yunus Musah, formerly of Valencia and AC Milan, is missing through suspension for this one, while winter window signing Giacomo Raspadori is a doubt due to a thigh injury.

Atalanta, fairly bizarrely and a bit of the blue, switched to a back four last week but there must surely be an expectation they revert to the three that the club have played for years.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Scamacca

Unavailable: Musah (Suspended)

Questionable: Raspadori (Injured)

Bayern Munich vs Atalanta prediction

Atalanta themselves may be tempted to rotate to ensure they are fully fit to go in Serie A, especially with a Coppa Italia semi-final second-leg in a few weeks. Bayern are almost certain to rotate, surely, and that should mean the two sides play out quite a forgettable and low intensity clash that Bayern, with home advantage, would still be expected to come out on top of.

Bayern Munich vs Atalanta Tip: Bayern Munich to win & both teams to score