Allianz Arena is all set to host the first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Two of Europe’s most successful clubs, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, are all set to square up against each other in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Both teams have faced each other in the knockout rounds of the competition on 12 occasions. The Merengues have gone through on seven occasions, while Bayern have done it on five occasions.
Bayern Munich have been inconsistent throughout the season and for the first time in over a decade, they failed to win the Bundesliga as Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen have already clinched the league title. Despite the domestic disappointment, they have managed to make it to the UCL semi-finals, and a win here could help them feature in the final of Europe’s biggest football competition.
Die Roten managed to go past Arsenal in the quarter-finals. It was not really an easy tie, but they managed to get the job done, which will surely help their cause heading into this fixture against an even stronger opposition in Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid have been an unstoppable force throughout the season. They have a significant lead at the top in La Liga and should be crowned champions within the next few fixtures. But, their focus is on the UEFA Champions League, where they are pushing for their 15th title.
They squared up against defending champions Manchester City in the quarters. City were the favourites and despite the odds, Los Blancos managed to win on penalties after putting up an incredible defensive display in the second leg at the Eithad.
It was a special win for Real Madrid, and they will surely be heading into the semi-finals feeling confident about their chances. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Thomas Tuchel has quite a few injuries to deal with as Sacha Boey, Gabriel Marusic, Bouna Sarr, Kingsley Coman, and Tarek Buchmann are all unavailable. Konrad Laimer and Matthijs de Ligt picked up an injury in their last outing and might be out for a while.
Dayot Upamecano’s availability is also a doubt. Meanwhile, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry, who have been nursing an injury for a while, should be back fit for this one. Jamal Musiala, who missed their last outing with tendon pain should be fit for this one. Bayern do have a boost as Alphonso Davies, who was suspended for the second leg against Arsenal, is back available.
The home team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Manuel Neuer will be in goal. Joshua Kimmich and Davies should be the full-backs, while Eric Dier should feature in the heart of the defence alongside Kim Min-jae.
In their attempts to stop a star-studded Real Madrid attack, the Bayern Munich defenders will have the support of Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leon Goretzka, who will form the double pivot in the centre of the park.
While Gnabry will surely play a part in this fixture, he might not start. Mathys Tel and Thomas Muller could be the wingers. Meanwhile, Musiala should continue as the attacking midfielder, and Harry Kane should be leading the line for Bayern.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Kim, Dier, Davies; Goretzka, Pavlovic; Muller, Musiala, Tel; Kane
Real Madrid
The visitors have named an interesting squad for the semi-final first leg, with David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois both a part of it. But, neither of them will play a part in this fixture as they are not yet 100%
Dani Carvajal is suspended after having picked up a milestone yellow in the second leg against Manchester City. Apart from Carvajal’s suspension and the two injuries, Ancelotti has nothing else to worry about. The Italian tactician has a fully-fit squad available for selection, with Aurelien Tchouameni back after serving a suspension in their last Champions League outing.
The visitors will stick to the 4-4-2 formation, where Andriy Lunin will continue in goal. Lucas Vazquez will come in for the suspended Carvajal as the right-back, while Ferland Mendy will take charge on the left. While Eder Militao is back fit, but he won’t be risked here. So, Tchouameni could be the one starting in the heart of the defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
In the centre of the park, Eduardo Camavinga will start alongside Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde. The trio will look to control the tempo. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham will be the attacking midfielder for the visitors behind the attacking duo of Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Lunin; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
Key Stats
- Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have faced each other on 26 occasions in the Champions League. The Merengues have won 12 times, while Bayern have 11 wins to their name.
- Real Madrid have scored 41 goals in those 26 outings, while Bayern Munich have 39 goals to their name.
- Both teams have faced each other in the knockout rounds on 12 occasions, Los Blancos have gone through on seven occasions while Die Roten have got the job done on five occasions.
- Real Madrid have come out on top in each of their last three knockout ties between the two teams.
- Real Madrid have won the UEFA Champions League 14 times, while Bayern have lifted their silverware on six occasions.
Player to Watch
Vinicius Junior
Despite only being 23, Vinicius has been the go-to man for Los Blancos in big games in the recent past and more often than not, he has delivered. Carlo Ancelotti will hope his Brazilian sensation once again brings his A-Game to the table and gets the job done away from home in the first leg. In his seven Champions League outings this term, the Brazilian international has three goals and five assists, and he will be eager to add to it against Bayern Munich.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
Bayern Munich might have managed to get the better of Arsenal in the quarter-finals. But they are up against an even stronger opposition in the semi-finals in Real Madrid. The home team have been inconsistent throughout the season and have quite a few injury concerns.
Meanwhile, the visitors have been a dominant force and they are heading into this one as the favourites. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the team in white.
