Wednesday 25th April 2018 Kick off 1945hrs Bayern Munich v Real Madrid Football – Europe – Champions League If there was some surprise around the teams competing in the other semi-final, there is absolutely no surprises to see Bayern Munich and Real Madrid competing in the final stages of the Champions League for yet another campaign. The two clubs have combined for 17 European Cups/Champions Leagues, with Real Madrid well out in front of everybody else on a total of 12. As well as being steeped in glory from the competition, the two clubs have met regularly in recent history and Wednesday sees the first of what should be another two titanic tussles with a place in the final up for grabs.
Although Bayern were predicted to go for before the group stages started but their early performances in the league, and that infamous defeat to PSG in Paris, left many wondering if this team had reached it’s peak. Carlo Ancelotti was subsequently sacked and replaced by the evergreen Jupp Heynckes who was the last man to lead the Bundesliga to European glory in 2013. Things have certainly picked up since that change in manager and having waltzed their way to another German title and booked their place in the German cup final, attention turns to their quest for what they feel is long overdue success in this competition. It’s been a fairly straightforward path to the semi finals despite finishing second behind PSG in the group stage. Besiktas and Sevilla were stubborn at times but the Germans have been able to negotiate both and have their sights firmly set upon Real Madrid – the team who ended their participation last year. That will certainly be on their minds heading into these two games and they will be looking to do something they were unable to do 12 months ago, and that’s win their home game so they have a lead to take to Madrid next week.
Like Bayern, Real Madrid have had their chances written off this season in their bid to record an unprecedented third straight Champions League success. An insipid group stage and trailing behind Barcelona in La Liga resulted in a number of questions being asked, even doubt surrounding the future of Zinedine Zidane which seemed ridiculous. Also like their opponents on Wednesday, Real had to settle for second place behind Tottenham and were paired against a PSG team who many felt were destined to go all the way. Their last 16 encounter with the Parisians was the catalyst for turning around Real’s season. They were superior to PSG and their vast experience came to the fore, another excellent 3-0 performance away to Juventus in the last eight suggested the champions were very much back to their best with the return leg expected to be a formality. We know now that was absolutely not the case as Juventus produced a stunning performance to level the tie at 3-3 only for Cristiano Ronaldo to convert in the dying minutes and sneak his club through to a part of the competition where nobody is their equal. This will be Real’s eight straight year in the last four and you would be foolish to think they cannot continue making history.
James Rodriguez has enjoyed a successful loan spell at Bayern Munich from Real Madrid and he could be in line to face his parent club on Wednesday. UEFA rules dictate that any stipulation barring a player from playing against his parent club is not withstanding in European competition and this would appear to be one of the most high profile situations it has involved. Rodriguez would never quite convince Zidane that he was suitable for the style of play the Frenchman adopted but he has the perfect opportunity to show his undoubted class should he be selected. There is also the Robert Lewandowski issue. The Polish striker has made no secret of his desire to join Real Madrid this summer who would appear to be willing to buy providing they can transfer out a couple of big name players at their side. It’s a familiar situation for Lewandowski who lined up against Bayern whilst with Dortmund, having already agreed a contract with the Bavarians – he’s unlikely to let that unsettle him over the course of the next week, however.
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid Betting Tip
Although Real Madrid won last year’s tie 6-3 on aggregate, it was a much closer affair than the eventual score suggested. Bayern missed a penalty at home in the first leg and took the tie to extra time having won 2-1 in the Bernabeu. They were soon down to 20 men, however, and Real notched three goals on their way to winning the final in Cardiff. It was the third straight year that the Germans have seen their participation in the Champions League ended by a Spanish team so you could be forgiven for thinking they would have happily avoided another meeting when the draw was made. Nevertheless, they will have old scores to settle.
Much is made about the need to finish top of your group in order to ensure an easier passage in the knockout stages. That would certainly be the case for Real who have faced PSG and Juventus, but Bayern have been somewhat fortunate in coming up against two teams who they would expect to beat over two legs more often than not. This semi final goes to show just how important experience is in what can only be described as a heavyweight battle.
Both clubs have shown their brilliance at times in this season’s Champions League but they have also shown that they are vulnerable if not on the top of their game. It’s likely the tie will come down to fine margins and a result in the first leg is extremely important. Real appear to be more suited to playing on the road in these sort of matches and were the last team to beat Bayern at home in the Champions League. Bayern have been outstanding in the Allianz Arena this season and are unbeaten, failing to win only three times. I think this won could go all the way and nothing to separate them after the first leg.
Draw 29/10 @ Betfair
