Can Muller's history repeat against Sporting after 16 years?
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 09.12.25. | 15:48
Back in 2009, the then-20-year-old Thomas Muller debuted in the Champions League for Bayern against the Lisbon side, scoring his maiden goal in a crushing 7-1 win
The UEFA Champions League clash between Bayern Munich and Sporting Lisbon (20.45) could be vital for both teams. The Bavarians would almost certainly secure their spot in the top eight with a win, while the Portuguese side's position could also improve, though they already surprised everyone, sitting in the eighth spot.
Still, apart from the usual impact on results, this match will have an interesting historical note.
Namely, the last time Bayern and Sporting met was in March 2009, in the UCL Round of 16, when the Bavarians thrashed the visitors from the Portuguese capital 7-1 in Munich, having previously beaten them 5-0 on the road.
The Bavarians progressed thanks to a massive 12-1 win on aggregate, while that match became etched in Thomas Muller's memory, as he made his Champions League debut on that day, and scored the team's seventh goal - his maiden in the competition.
muller's first ucl goal on his debut.. i'm about to cry pic.twitter.com/qZQQtMg7Xq
— aish ٠࣪①(@jmsialas) August 29, 2024
The then-20-year-old forward probably couldn't have imagined that he'd go on to score 56 more goals in the UCL and be its ninth all-time leading scorer 16 years later.
Even though times have changed, Bayern are still a ruthless offensive firepower with Harry Kane as their leader, while another 20-year-old could memorize the duel against Sporting the way Muller did - perhaps Tom Bischof. Truth be told, the midfielder has already made five UCL appearances, but is still goalless. He started against Stuttgart two days ago and can hope for a place in the XI.
If he scores against Sporting tonight, Lennart Karl would become the youngest player in Champions League history to score in three consecutive CL matches (aged 17 years and 290 days). #FCBSCP pic.twitter.com/viixbw2BFF
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) December 9, 2025
At the same time, his three years younger teammate, Lennart Karl, could make history if he finds the net, as he'd become the youngest-ever player to score in three consecutive UCL duels.
As for the rest of the team, Kane is expected to be in the lineup after scoring a hat-trick against the Swabians, Manuel Neuer is likely to return to goal after missing the Bundesliga clash, while even Alphonso Davies, who has been out for the last nine months due to an ACL tear, could get some minutes.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Matchday 6
Tuesday
18.30: (6.75) Kairat Almaty (4.20) Olympiacos (1.50)
20.45: (1.28) Bayern Munich (6.75) Sporting Lisbon (10.5)
23.00: (3.35) Atalanta (3.50) Chelsea (2.25)
23.00: (1.17) Barcelona (8.50) Eintracht Frankfurt (15.0)
23.00: (2.00) Inter Milan (3.85) Liverpool (3.75)
23.00: (2.10) Monaco (3.80) Galatasaray (3.45)
23.00: (3.10) PSV Eindhoven (3.75) Atletico Madrid (2.30)
23.00: (3.00) St. Gilloise (3.70) Olympique Marseille (2.35)
23.00: (1.45) Tottenham (4.60) Slavia Prague (7.25)
Wednesday
20.45: (2.00) Qarabag (3.60) Ajax (4.00)
20.45: (1.45) Villarreal (4.50) Copenhagen (7.00)
23.00: (5.80) Athletic Bilbao (3.80) PSG (1.62)
23.00: (2.40) Benfica (3.40) Napoli (3.20)
23.00: (10.0) Club Brugge (5.20) Arsenal (1.37)
23.00: (1.28) Borussia Dortmund (6.00) Bodo/Glimt (9.50)
23.00: (1.18) Juventus (7.25) Pafos (15.0)
23.00: (3.10) Bayer Leverkusen (3.50) Newcastle (2.40)
23.00: (2.55) Real Madrid (3.85) Manchester City (2.65)
***odds are subject to change***
