The Santiago Bernabeu is ready to host another monumental and defining fixture in the UEFA Champions League – a clash involving two heavyweights; Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Los Blancos were second best at the Allianz Arena in the first leg of the semi-final, but they managed to exit Germany with their hope still intact.
Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich know how daunting a clash against Real Madrid is, particularly in the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League.
They turned up the heats in Bavaria, but defensive mishaps prevented them from securing a win in front of their home fans.
Real Madrid And Bayern Munich Ready To Fight Blood And Sweat To Get To The Final
All attention turns to Madrid for an epic game, where anticipation, passion, and expectation will all be on stage for one ticket to Wembley Stadium, where the final will go down.
Having seen the first leg end 2-2, with Leroy Sane and Harry Kane penning their name on the score sheet for Bayern Munich, a brace from Vinicius Jr was enough to keep Real Madrid firmly in the tie.
The UEFA Champions League is the Bavarians’ only opportunity for silverware this season, having lost the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen.
They also lost out in the early rounds of the DFB-POKAL, with Bayer Leverkusen set to take that trophy, as they face Bundesliga 2 side FC Kaiserslautern.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid clinched the Spanish La Liga title over the previous weekend, following Barcelona’s 4-2 loss to Girona on May 4, 2024.
Los Blancos had done their job in their game on Saturday, May 4, 2024, defeating Cadiz 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Despite 4 games left this season for Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti’s side secured the title with 87 points from 34 matches, 13 points better than 2nd-placed Girona (74), and 14 points better than Barcelona, who occupy the third spot on the log with 73 points.
Los Blancos Have Found It Easy Against Bayern Munich In Recent Years
Real Madrid have often found joy in recent decades against Bayern Munich, as they have won 7 of their last 13 meetings, with the visitors on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, winning just 3.
The counter has ended with both sides sharing the spoils on three occasions, with Bayern Munich’s last victory in a competitive game against Real Madrid coming on April 17, 2012.
The Bavarian giants defeated Jose Mourinho-led Real Madrid 2-1 at the Allianz Arena in the first leg of their semi-final clash during the 2011/12 season.
Despite losing 2-1 in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu which made the tie end 3-3 on aggregate, Bayern Munich still came out victorious 3-1 via penalties.
When Did Bayern Munich Last Defeat Real Madrid?
In a non-competitive game, the Munich-based club defeated Real Madrid 3-1 on July 21, 2019, in Round 1 of the Champions Cup played in the United States of America.
Los Blancos’ last victory against Bayern Munich came on April 25, 2018, as they defeated the Bavarian giants 2-1 in the first leg of the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League semi-final played at the Allianz Arena.
The return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu ended 2-2, with Real Madrid qualifying 4-3 on aggregate, and ultimately going on to win the UEFA Champions League that season.
Los Merengues last made it to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League last season losing 5-1 on aggregate to eventual winners Manchester City, and they will be hoping to avoid a repeat this term by making it through to the final, as they aim to win their 15th Champions League title in history.
Bayern Munich last made it to the semi-final of the continental showpiece during the 2019/20 season, when they went all the way to win the trophy defeating Paris Saint Germain 1-0 in the final.
Thomas Tuchel’s side come into this game on the back of a shocking 3-1 loss to VFB Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga, and they will be looking to return to winning ways in Madrid.
Team News For Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois is back for Los Blancos after his long-term injury, which has seen him miss out on most matches this term.
Courtois manned the post for the Madrid-based club in their last league game against Cadiz, and he was impressive in goal.
It is uncertain if he will feature in the game against Bayern Munich, but he is in contention to start as well.
Dani Carvajal has also returned from a European suspension, with David Alaba, who is still nursing an injury, being the only absentee for Real Madrid against the Bavarian giants.
Team News For Bayern Munich
Raphael Guerreiro is expected to be out for the remainder of matches this term due to an injury he picked up in the encounter against VFB Stuttgart.
Matthijs de Ligt is also on the verge of returning from a knee injury layoff and he could be a massive reinforcement for Thomas Tuchel’s side in the coming game.
Additionally, Kingsley Coman’s groin injury will make him absent again, while Sacha Boey (hip), Bouna Sarr (ACL), and Tarek Buchmann (hamstring) will also enjoy the second leg action from the sidelines.
Real Madrid’s probable starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
Bayern Munich’s probable starting lineup:
Neuer; Kimmich, Dier, De Ligt, Mazraoui; Goretzka, Laimer; Sane, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-3 Bayern Munich (Bayern Munich go through on aggregate 4-5)
Kick-off Time and Date: 08:00 PM, May 8, 2024.
