Real Madrid make the trip to Germany to cross swords with Bayern Munich in the first leg of a mouthwatering Champions League semi-final tie on Tuesday night.
Los Blancos dumped the holders Manchester City in a nerve-wrecking penalty shootout at the Etihad Stadium, after an aggregate scoreline of 3-3. Also on the cusp of recapturing the La Liga title thanks to a fantastic El Clasico win over Barcelona and a narrow 1-0 success over Real Sociedad, they arrive in Munich off the back of an 18-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
The Spanish heavyweights boast a six-game unbeaten sequence against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, eliminating them in 2013/14, 2016/17 and 2017/18 campaigns before being crowned continental champions in each year.
Real Madrid Team News
Rodrygo Goes did not travel to Anoeta to face Real Madrid on Friday, while Jude Bellingham and Toni Kroos were rested entirely. However, the trio are expected to be fully fit for the Champions League clash. Ferland Mendy is also expected to recover in time from fatigue, leaving Thibaut knee victims Courtois and David Alaba as the only dwellers in the Real Madrid treatment room.
Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal will not travel with the squad for the first leg against Bayern, having picked up a suspension-inducing booking at the Etihad Stadium.
Predicted Real Madrid lineup vs Bayern Munich (4-3-1-2)
Goalkeeper
Andriy Lunin was Real Madrid’s hero in the penalty shootout win over Man City, and after being rested against Real Sociedad on Saturday, he will be re-energised to face Bayern.
Defence
Eder Militao made his first start in eight months in the 1-0 away win over Real Sociedad and impressed. The Brazilian is in contention to start at the Allianz Arena, with Carlo Ancelotti seemingly pleased with his performance against Real Sociedad. He could partner Antonio Rudiger in central defence, hoping to keep the in-form Harry Kane at bay.
With Carvajal suspended, the door opens for Lucas Vazquez to start at right-back. But Ancelotti could give Nacho Fernandez the nod over Vazquez, with Eduardo Camavinga filling in at left-back. Ferland Mendy will have to be content with a role on the bench.
Midfield
Aurelien Tchouameni, who has played as a centre-back in some games this season due to an injury crisis, should operate as an N0o6 in midweek. The Frenchman will be joined by Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde in the engine room, and the trio must look to dominate possession and control the flow of the game.
Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos are expected to be on the bench, having started the league game against Real Sociedad last week.
Attack
Jude Bellingham—among Real Madrid’s best performers—should be fresh and raring to make a mark against Bayern after being rested in the last game. The England international will look to run the show from the tip of the diamond, whilst creating chances for Brazilian duo Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. in and around the box.
If Madrid need fresh legs and a spark in attack, Ancelotti could turn to Joselu and Brahim Diaz.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
Goalkeeper
