On Wednesday midnight, two powerhouse European teams clash in the UEFA Champions League semi-final. Take a glimpse into the first leg as we provide our prediction and preview for Bayern Munich versus Real Madrid.
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Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid: Match Preview
Following their elimination of Premier League title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City in the previous round, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are set to clash in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
This encounter marks the eighth meeting between Bayern and Madrid in a semi-final of the European Cup/Champions League. While Bayern had advanced from four out of the first five encounters between 1976 and 2012, they were eliminated in the last two (2013-14 and 2017-18).
In their journey to this stage, Joshua Kimmich’s second-half header proved decisive in securing a 1-0 victory against Arsenal in the second leg. This smart finish by the Bayern midfielder ensured a 3-2 aggregate victory for Thomas Tuchel’s team in the quarter-finals.
Madrid’s path to progression was somewhat more straightforward compared to Bayern’s, as Carlo Ancelotti’s team advanced after a penalty shootout victory over last season’s champions, Manchester City. Rodrygo initiated the scoring at the Etihad Stadium, but Kevin De Bruyne’s goal leveled the aggregate score to 4-4, leading to the necessity of a penalty shootout.
Jude Bellingham demonstrated immense effort in that hard-fought victory against Pep Guardiola’s squad, maintaining an average of 1.2 high-intensity pressures per minute on the field (146 overall). This stands as the highest average recorded by a player who played 90+ minutes in a match in this season’s competition.
Bellingham is anticipated to cover even more ground in the upcoming match on Tuesday, as he currently leads the Champions League this season for high-intensity pressures with 496. Additionally, Bellingham has showcased his versatility with four goals and as many assists in UEFA’s premier club tournament this term.
Among Madrid’s ranks, only Rodrygo surpasses Bellingham’s goal tally in the Champions League this season, having scored five times in European competition. The Brazilian talent continues to impress alongside his international and club teammate, Vinícius Júnior, bolstering Madrid’s attacking prowess.
Rodrygo and Vinicius were both absent from the starting lineup as Carlo Ancelotti opted to rest his key players in Friday’s 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad. Arda Güler seized the opportunity to shine, scoring on his first league start for the La Liga leaders in the away triumph against La Real. Additionally, Éder Militão marked a promising return from injury.
Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba will be sidelined due to injury, while Dani Carvajal will miss the match due to suspension following his caution against Manchester City.
Aurélien Tchouaméni will be back in contention after serving a suspension in the quarter-final second leg. However, there are concerns over the fitness of Ferland Mendy, who was sidelined for the win against Real Sociedad as a precaution due to a reported muscle strain.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich will be without Kingsley Coman, Sacha Boey, Bouna Sarr, and Tarek Buchmann. Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry were not included in the lineup on Saturday, as the team opted for a much-changed roster, securing a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Harry Kane delivered a decisive double at Allianz Arena in that Bundesliga encounter, bringing his career goal tally for club and country to 400, alongside a personal-best of 42 goals in all competitions this season. The former Tottenham striker will have another milestone within reach come kick-off in the midweek fixture.
Kane has been directly involved in 10 goals in as many games in this season’s Champions League. Adding another goal or assist here would see him surpass David Beckham (in 1998-99 and 2001-02) and Steven Gerrard (2007-08) for the most goal involvements by an English player in a single campaign in the competition.
Regardless of whether Kane can propel the Bundesliga giants to the Champions League final against either Paris Saint-Germain or Borussia Dortmund, Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel is set to depart at the end of the season. He will undoubtedly aim to conclude his tenure on a high note.
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid: Head-to-head
This fixture holds the record for being the most played in the history of the European Cup/Champions League, with 26 encounters, 24 of which occurred in the knockout stages – also marking the highest number of matches between two sides in the competition’s history.
Recently, Real Madrid has dominated this clash, remaining unbeaten in the last seven meetings and claiming victory in six of those encounters, with one draw. This represents Bayern’s longest winless streak against any opponent in European competition.
Furthermore, Los Blancos have triumphed in each of their last three away matches against Bayern Munich (4-0 in 2013-14, 2-1 in 2016-17, and 2-1 in 2017-18), marking the longest winning streak away to Bayern in the European Cup/Champions League. No other team has achieved consecutive away victories against Bayern in this competition.
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid: Recent Form
Bayern Munich has been formidable at home in the Champions League, having lost just one of their last 24 home games (winning 20 and drawing 3). They are currently on a 15-match unbeaten streak at home (12 wins and 3 draws), with their last defeat at home in the competition dating back to April 2021 against Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite missing out on the Bundesliga title for the first time in 12 years, with Bayer Leverkusen claiming the trophy, Bayern has been in good form lately, winning their last three games in all competitions.
Real Madrid remains unbeaten in the Champions League this season, having won 7 matches and drawn 3. Their current 10-game unbeaten run in the competition is impressive, with only one instance of a longer unbeaten streak within a single campaign, when they went 11 games without defeat on their way to winning the 2016-17 edition.
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid: Team News and Predicted Line-up
Bayern Munich: Team News
Alphonso Davies is set to make a return after serving a suspension in the second leg against Arsenal. However, there are concerns regarding the fitness of Konrad Laimer (ankle) and Matthijs de Ligt (knee) after both were forced off during the weekend fixture. Jamal Musiala is a doubt due to a tendon issue, while Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman are also facing potential injury absences.
Bayern Munich Predicted Starting XIs:
- Goalkeeper: Neuer (C)
- Defenders: Kimmich, Kim, De Ligt, Mazraoui
- Midfielders: Laimer, Goretzka; Sané
- Forwards: Musiala, Guerreiro; Kane
Out: Boey (thigh), Buchmann (thigh), Coman (groin), Sarr (knee)
Doubtful: Sané (pelvis), De Ligt (knee), Laimer (ankle), Upamecano (ankle)
Real Madrid: Team News
Jude Bellingham is expected to return after missing the match against Real Sociedad due to a stomach issue, while Rodrygo, who has been ill recently, is also likely to be available. However, Dani Carvajal is suspended, paving the way for Lucas Vazquez to start at right-back. Dani Caravajal, David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois will travel with the team for support even though they can’t play and their names have been included in the matchday squad.
Real Madrid Predicted Starting XIs:
- Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin
- Defenders: Lucas Vázquez, Antonio Rüdiger, Aurélien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy
- Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos (C), Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham
- Forwards: Rodrygo Goes, Vinícius Júnior
Out: Dani Caravajal (Suspension), David Alaba (ACL) and Thibaut Courtois (ACL)
Doubtful: Ferland Mendy
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid: Match Prediction
Real Madrid can be anticipated to adopt a more aggressive approach than they did at the Etihad Stadium, with the Spanish side rightfully considered favorites in this tie.
Having not suffered a defeat in LaLiga since September, they have showcased their ability to secure results even when not performing at their peak.
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid: UCL Squads For The Semir-finals
Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League Squad
- Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Daniel Peretz, Sven Ulreich
- Defenders: Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, Matthijs de Ligt, Eric Dier, Bouna Sarr, Noussair Mazraoui, Joshua Kimmich, Alphonso Davies, Sacha Boey, Tarek Buchmann
- Midfielders: Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sané, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Konrad Laimer, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Raphaël Guerreiro, Bryan Zaragoza, Thomas Müller, Mathys Tel
- Forwards: Harry Kane, Kingsley Coman
Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Squad
- Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Kepa, Andriy Lunin
- Defenders: David Alaba, Nacho, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, Fran García, Lucas Vázquez
- Midfielders: Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Brahim Díaz, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga
- Forwards: Arda Güler, Joselu, Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo
When and Where to Watch the Match LIVE in India?
The UEFA Champions League 2023-24 match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will be broadcast live in India on Sony Sports Network. The match is scheduled on Wednesday, 1 May 2024 at 12:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Viewers in India can watch the match live from Allianz Arena. Additionally, for those who prefer online streaming, the match will be available for live streaming on the SonyLIV App.
