December 22, 2024
Tonight at the Allianz Arena, two of the biggest clubs in Europe—Bayern Munich and Real Madrid—will trade tackles in the first leg of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League (UCL) semi-final clash.
The familiar foes both battled English oppositions in a two-legged quarter-final clash that embodied the grit befitting of a UCL knockout stage.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid were forced to a 3-3 tie in the first leg against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu on April 9, but their pragmatic approach was thwarted by Kevin De Bryune and Jeremy Doku’s late combination at the Etihad Stadium after Rodrigo’s first-half goal.
Despite a surface-level better performance, reigning champions City were knocked out of the UCL on penalties by the Los Blancos who seek to reinforce their stand as the most successful club in Europe having done enough to lay claim on their 36th league title following their victory over Real Sociedad last weekend.
The reverse is the case for Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern, who could end the season trophyless, in what will be their first since the 2011/12 season.
The Bavarians’ only hopes of a trophy in Tuchel’s final moment hinges on the UCL, after ousting Arsenal 1-0, following a 2-2 first-leg draw at Emirates on April 9.
It can be argued that the stakes are much higher for the hosts, but considering the visitors’ CL know-how and how they eliminated (if not beautifully) Pep Guardiola’s tactically astute City, the odds look quite promising for the Los Blancos.
With an unbeaten streak against Bayern after eight encounters (six wins and two draws) Don Carlo appears to be the favourite at the Allianz Arena tonight.
The Italian gaffer rested some key players in Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad on Friday, as he looks to extend his side’s ten-match UCL unbeaten run.
This clash holds the record for the most played fixture in UCL/European Cup history after 26 meetings between both powerhouses.
Real Madrid holds 12 victories and three draws over Bayern’s 11 wins. The last seven meetings between both sides have, however, ended in six wins and one draw for the Los Blancos.
Following Friday’s rest, Ancelotti has a largely-fit squad to work with in the absence of suspended Dani Carvajal and injured David Alaba.
While Tuchel welcomes Alphonso Davies back to the squad—following the Canadian suspension against Arsenal—the German gaffer will be without Kingsley Coman, Dayot Upamecano, and Sacha Boey, while Matthijs de Light’s fitness is unsure.
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Kim Min-Jae, Eric Dier, Alphonso Davies; Leon Goretzka, Aleksandar Pavlovic; Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry; Harry Kane.
Real Madrid ( 4-3-1-2): Andriy Lunin; Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, Aurelian Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy; Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos; Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior.
Predicted score: Bayern Munich 0-2 Real Madrid.
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