Injury-hit Bayern face tough test at Atletico's fortress, with Alvarez and Kane in focus

Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich meet in a Champions League blockbuster on Tuesday night (November 3). Bayern may be the bigger name, but Atletico go into the match as favourites — largely because of the Bavarians' long injury list.

Several important Bayern players are injured, and head coach Vincent Kompany is himself still in hospital. In difficult circumstances, the German giants travel to Atletico's ground, where the match at the Wanda Metropolitano is not only a fight for three points but also a test of their depth.

Bayern sit 14th in the league phase with five points from their first three matches. They began by beating Glimt 5-0 but then drew with Viking FK and Arsenal. To reach the round of 16 directly they must finish in the top eight, which makes a win over Atletico important.

Jamal Musiala, Luis Diaz and Serge Gnabry will not be available for that important match. Ismael Saibari was injured in the latest league match against Dortmund. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Michael Olise have travelled to Madrid with the team, but their participation remains uncertain. In Kompany's absence, assistant coach Aaron Danks will take charge in the dugout.

Bayern's biggest hope in attack is Harry Kane. The English striker, who recently won the Ballon d'Or, has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season, with eight assists. After the frustration of a missed penalty and a shot off the crossbar against Dortmund, he will want to shine on the European stage. Fans' eyes will be on Alvarez and Kane.

Atletico are strong at home. They lost their first Champions League match to Liverpool but then beat Manchester United 2-0 at home. They sit 16th with four points from three matches, but Diego Simeone's side are in excellent form in La Liga — second with 28 points from 11 matches. Atletico have conceded only three goals in their last nine competitive matches, keeping six clean sheets.

Bayern's bigger worry is Atletico's home record: they are unbeaten in their last 16 home matches in European competition against German clubs, with 12 wins and four draws. History in Madrid also favours the hosts — in the two clubs' previous meetings in the Spanish capital, Bayern managed to score from open play only once.