With Real Madrid winning the first leg of this mouth-watering Champions League tie 1-0 at Santiago Bernabeu, the second leg at Allianz Arena is all set for a mammoth finale. Bayern Munich will have to beat Real Madrid convincingly to make it to the finals while all that Real Madrid need is to contain and score than crucial away goal.
So with less than 24 hours to go for the second leg of this Champions League semi-final tie, here is a quick look at both teams and their strengths and weaknesses.
Bayern Munich
Current European Champions, Bayern Munich were the favourites to win the Champions League this season too to make it the first team to retain the trophy with big years. However a 1-0 defeat at Santiago Bernabeu and their inability to score that away goal could come back to bite them at the end of tomorrowai??i??s match.
Strengths
With Guardiola commanding the reins of the German club, Bayern Munich have learnt to keep possession and pile pressure on their opponents. Having assembled a vastly talented team, Guardiola however has the likes of Ribery, Robben and Gotze who can turn the match on its head in a matter of seconds. Hence this range of attacking potential and threat will be their biggest strength tomorrow. Cheered on by a passionate crowd, Bayern Munich will be expected to take complete control of the match. And Guardiola knows that even if possession-oriented football doesnai??i??t yield the desired the results, he can always bank on his supremely talented wingers to bail them out.
Weaknesses
However a shaky defence and the fact that a single goal by Real Madrid will force the Germans to score 3 might prove to be their undoing this season. Though they will be taking the intiative tomorrow and are expected to control the match, they will be coming up against the likes of Ronaldo, Bale, Di Maria and Benzema, all of whom are having their best season with Real Madrid. Hence they will always have to defend with discipline and a lot of grit if they are to keep Real Madrid at bay tomorrow.
Real Madrid
On the look out for their tenth European Championship, Real Madrid are in their 4th consecutive semi-finals this year, knowing that the next 90 minutes could be the biggest match of their career. A quick look at the last three semi-finals reveal that Real always lost the advantage in the first leg and were made to chase in the return leg. However, they enter the second leg tomorrow knowing very well they are in complete control of the match.
Strengths
No other team evokes as much fear as Real Madrid does when it comes to their sheer ability to tear apart teams with speed, accuracy and brilliance. Gareth Bale, Cristaino Ronaldo and Di Maria are having one of their best seasons and coupled with the fact that Benzema has come alive in the last 6 months, Real Madrid is not a team that can be prevented from scoring. Looking for that one goal, tomorrowai??i??s match will be done and dusted if Real Madrid are to score that crucial first goal.
Weaknesses
However, all has not been well with Real Madrid this season. Though they have learnt to play under Carlo Ancelottiai??i??s new style, a quick look at all their big games reveal that they are not entirely comfortable with keeping possession. When put under the slightest of pressure, Real Madrid are more than happy to sit back and soak up the pressure, looking to their wingers to wave their magic on the ball. They have also shown themselves very vulnerable in the back four, especially when it comes to keeping possession. Dortmund tore them apart in the first 40 minutes and Bayern will only be waiting for that one slip which will allow them to get a foot in the tie. Their full-backs, especially Carvajal, though very effective on the counter, are not the best of defenders. Both Robben and Ribery will be looking to exploit the Whites from the wings knowing well that a single moment of brilliance could tilt the scales in their favour.
Expectations
Expect a classic match as two of the best European teams come head to head looking for a place in the finals. With the likes of Ronaldo, Bale, Di Maria, Robben, Ribery and Kroos on the pitch, it will be unfair to decide a potential favourite. However, my money is on Real Madrid who will be looking to defend and catch Bayern unaware on the counter.
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