It will be a battle between two of the biggest European giants when Real Madrid rubs shoulder with Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final. Both teams will be high on confidence but the home side will have an edge particularly after thrashing Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in the last Bundesliga match.
Real will try to take inspiration from their 2014 semifinal win over Bayern Munich. Los Blancos hammered the German champions 5-0 over the course of two legs. The battle was even after the first leg as Madrid won the first fixture 1-0. But in the second leg, they produced a one of a kind performance as they made Bayern looked like a pretty ordinary team. Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace as Real inflicted Bayern their heaviest defeat at home in European competitions. Incidentally, Carlo Ancelotti who is managing the Bavarians currently, was in charge of Madrid that time.
Madrid have a pretty awful record at the Allianz Arena as in the last 11 encounters at this stadium they have lost nine times although they did win on the last time they visited the German champions. The Spanish giants are yet to lose this season but against a side like Bayern, anything can happen.
Team News And Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid
Madrid’s defence hasn’t been convincing throughout this season and has been exposed a number of times and added to that, Zinedine Zidane will not have the service of experienced defender Pepe. The Portuguese defender broke his rib after a collision with fellow player Toni Kroos. Nacho Fernandez is the obvious choice to replace him.
Navas; Ramos, Nacho, Ramos, Carvajal; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
Bayern Munich
Bayern’s task will be difficult as in-form defender Mats Hummels won’t be playing in this match due to his injury. Ancelotti will have to deploy a makeshift defence and David Alaba will most likely slot in the heart of the defence.
Key players
Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese might be 32 but still, he has the hunger in him. Ronaldo hasn’t found the net in his last 613 minutes of Champions League football and would love to end his goal drought by scoring against the Bavarians. Ronaldo’s form would be crucial if Madrid wants to retain the Champions League trophy for two seasons in a row.
Bayern Munich
Arjen Robben
One of the deadliest right wingers of all time. Robben was the main architect behind their thrashing of Arsenal in the pre-quarters of the Champions League and he would like to carry on his form to the later stage of the tournament. At the age of 33, he is looking far more dangerous than he was two years ago and his knack of cutting back inside the box and dangerous inswingers could create some serious problems for Los Blancos back four.
