Champions League: Spanish Champs Out to Topple Toppled Bavarians

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich

A classic European tie and a potential Champions League semi-final for the ages.

Never mind that Bayern Munich aren’t the vintage of some of their predecessors – they are still capable of beating anyone on their day.

Never mind that some critics say this Real Madrid side lacks the all-round stardust of the team that won three European crowns in a row from 2016-18 – they have just knocked out the holders and the side considered top dogs in Europe.

And following last week’s thrilling 2-2 draw, it is all to play for at the Bernabeu – a ground used to witnessing Champions League highlights.

Talking Points

Bayern Munich are determined to win against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals — Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane vies for the ball during the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid

Now the ‘away goals’ rule has been disbanded, the first leg edge Los Blancos take from Bavaria is probably more psychological than anything else.

Indeed, Bayern – defeated in the Bundesliga by Stuttgart at the weekend in a game of limited importance given the title was won by Bayer Leverkusen a few weeks ago – will have quiet confidence they can go to Spain and succeed.

Why shouldn’t they when they have England captain Harry Kane in their ranks – a player who netted his 36^th league goal of the season in the 3-1 loss to move five behind Robert Lewandowksi’s record of 41 in a Bundesliga campaign.

With two league games to go, he’s unlikely to match or better that tally but he and Bavarians the word over would much prefer a semi-final winner against the most successful European team of all.

Of course, Real will begin as favourites with home advantage and should be buoyant after they were crowned Spanish champions on Saturday.

A 3-0 victory over Cadiz, swiftly followed by a magnificent Girona victory against deposed champions Barcelona, sealed what has been expected for some time.

Although young England starlet Jude Bellingham has been magnificent and appears a shoo-in for La Liga player of the year, he has been backed by an all-round cast.

Amongst them, Antonio Rüdiger – Spain’s best defender.

Aurélien Tchouaméni doesn’t like it but has played at centre-back, and exceptionally well. So has Dani Carvajal. Lucas Vázquez and Eduardo Camavinga have performed at full-back.

Toni Kroos, seemingly on the way out, has been arguably the country’s best player in a restructured midfield.

Champions League 2022 matchwinner Vinícius struggled with injury and has started only 20 league games, his season not really up and running until January, but he has scored 13 and provided five assists. Rodrygo had doubts but has 10 and five.

At the helm of all of this (and more) is Carlo Ancelotti who can rightly be lauded as one of the greatest managers of all time.

Should his side beat Bayern in midweek and go onto make it a La Liga-European double, that viewpoint will only be cemented even further.

And for those who believe in superstitions, consider this: Real have lifted the trophy the last three seasons they have been drawn against Bayern in the knockout stages.

History

What a history!

With 12 Real successes, 11 Bayern triumphs and four draws, it could really be no closer.

They last met in the semi-finals in 2018 when Real were inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo, despatching Bayern, Juventus and Paris St Germain en route to breaking Liverpool’s hearts in the final with that Gareth Bale goal.

A first leg win at Bayern, secured by goals from Marcelo and Marco Asensio after Joshua Kimmich, had put Bayern in front before the sides drew 2-2 in the second leg.

Karim Benzema’s double effectively sealed the tie with Kimmich (again) and James Rodriguez on target for Bayern.

Their very first meeting came in the semi-finals of this competition, then the European Cup, in 1976.

A first leg draw in Madrid saw a Roberto Martinez (not the current Portugal manager) cancelled out by the great Gerd Muller and it was Bayern who prevailed to the final with a 2-0 second leg home win, thanks to a Muller double.

Bayern went onto defeat Saint-Etienne of France to win the trophy for the third successive year.