Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Competition: Champions League Semi-Final
Match date: Wednesday, 23 April 2014 - Kick Off Time: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
Match date: Wednesday, 23 April 2014 - Kick Off Time: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
Real Madrid booked their place in the Champions League semi-final with a
nervy 3-2 aggregate victory against Borussia Dortmund., despite a 2-0
loss in Germany. The Merengues banked more silverware when winning the
Copa Del Rey with a 2-1 win over Barcelona last week thanks to an
outstanding goal by Gareth Bale. Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still
recovering from the knee injury that struck him recently, should be
involved in this pivotal match. Carlo Ancelotti will still not be able
to count on Arbeloa, Sami Khedira and Jesé Rodríguez while Brazilian
left back Marcelo might also miss the match.
Bayern made short work of retaining the Bundesliga title which they
wrapped up some time ago but they haven't been at their best since then,
losing back to back league games (one of them considerably embarrassing
– 3-0 at home against Borussia Dortmund) before last weekend's 2-0 win
at Eintracht Braunschweig. They weren’t impressive against Manchester
United in the quarter finals and also risked elimination when Patrice
Evra put the Red Devils ahead before they scored three goals.
Guardiola will certainly not be able to count on the midfielders Thiago Alcântara, Xherdan Shaqiri and on the German defender Diego Contento. He again opted to rotate his starting XI at the weekend but Mario Mandzukic should return to the starting XI in place of Claudio Pizarro here. Neuer has been back in training and will resume his position between the sticks.
Los Blancos have won all five of their Champions League home games this season and have scored a staggering 32 goals in the competition so far. Furthermore, have won 15 of their last 17 home games in the Champions League. On the other side, Bayern have lost on all five of their last visits to the Bernabeu (including the 2010 final against Inter).
Guardiola will certainly not be able to count on the midfielders Thiago Alcântara, Xherdan Shaqiri and on the German defender Diego Contento. He again opted to rotate his starting XI at the weekend but Mario Mandzukic should return to the starting XI in place of Claudio Pizarro here. Neuer has been back in training and will resume his position between the sticks.
Los Blancos have won all five of their Champions League home games this season and have scored a staggering 32 goals in the competition so far. Furthermore, have won 15 of their last 17 home games in the Champions League. On the other side, Bayern have lost on all five of their last visits to the Bernabeu (including the 2010 final against Inter).
Probable lineups Real: Cassilas – Carvajal, Pepe, S. Ramos, F. Coentrao – Xabi Alonso, Modric – Bale (Isco), di Maria, C. Ronaldo – Benzema.
Probable lineups Bayern: Neuer – Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba – Schweinsteiger, T. Kroos – Robben, T. Muller, Ribery – Mandzukic.
Real Madrid last 5 matches:
02/04/14 Real Madrid 3 – 0 Borussia
05/04/14 Real Sociedad 0 – 4 Real Madrid
08/04/14 Borussia 2 – 0 Real Madrid
13/04/14 Real Madrid 4 – 0 Almería
16/04/14 Barcelona 1 – 2 Real Madrid
02/04/14 Real Madrid 3 – 0 Borussia
05/04/14 Real Sociedad 0 – 4 Real Madrid
08/04/14 Borussia 2 – 0 Real Madrid
13/04/14 Real Madrid 4 – 0 Almería
16/04/14 Barcelona 1 – 2 Real Madrid
