Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes that if any team can beat Real Madrid, his Bavarians are the team to do it.
We’re just one week away from the first leg of a huge Champions League semi-final clash between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. The Bavarians will be out for revenge against their Spanish rivals. It was Real Madrid who knocked out a Carlo Ancelotti-led Bayern in the quarter-finals of last year’s competition.
Bayern Munich have been a dominant force in the Bundesliga yet again this season. They won the title two weeks ago at Augsburg and have a 20-point lead over second place team Schalke as they approach the final four games of the season.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been struggling in their domestic campaigns this year. They were knocked out of the Copa del Rey much earlier than anyone anticipated and are third in La Liga, 16 points behind leaders Barcelona.
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However, los Blancos have remained a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League this season. Cristiano Ronaldo has been as impactful as ever, and Real Madrid could very well be on their way to a third consecutive Champions League trophy.
To do that, though, they’ll have to face an in-form Bayern Munich. The Bavarians should prove a stern test for Zidane and co. In fact, Bayern’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes that his club is the one team who can beat Real Madrid in this competition (via Bild).
"“If anyone can beat Real Madrid at the moment, it’s Bayern Munich.”"
Kalle is clearly optimistic about his team’s chances of defeating the Galacticos. And why not? Die Roten have been spectacular in recent months under Jupp Heynckes. Coming fresh off an emphatic 6-2 DFB Pokal semi-final win over Bayer Leverkusen, Heynckes’ men seem to be hitting their stride at exactly the right moment.
Taking down the Spanish giants will be no easy feat for Bayern, but it’s definitely doable. Bayern doesn’t look like losing to any team across Europe in their current form.
Both Robert Lewandowski and Sandro Wagner are firing home goals with ease. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery look much like a pair of wingers in their prime rather than the aging duo they are. Thomas Muller is at his raumdeuting best, while James Rodriguez provides the X-factor Bayern have so desperately needed throughout recent seasons. Thiago is back in full swing after his return from injury, and Javi Martinez is as ferocious as ever in defensive midfield. Bayern’s backline could use a little work, but Sven Ulreich has been a godsend in goal in Manuel Neuer’s absence.
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Without Arturo Vidal, Kingsley Coman and Manuel Neuer, things could get a little sticky for the German champions. But all things considered, Bayern Munich are as ready as they’ll ever be to face Real Madrid in the coming weeks. Rummenigge is right. If anyone can beat Real Madrid at the moment, it’s this Bayern side.