The second leg of the blockbuster Champions League quarter-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will take place at Allianz Arena on Wednesday. Bayern currently lead the tie 2-1, courtesy of a fantastic performance at Santiago Bernabeu a week ago.
The Bavarian club comes into Wednesday’s game on the back of an emphatic 5-0 win away at St. Pauli on matchday 29 of the Bundesliga. Bayern also broke the record of scoring the most goals in a single Bundesliga campaign as they have scored 105 goals after 29 league games this season. Vincent Kompany’s men have been in sublime form since the start of March, dominating teams consistently in and out of possession.
Real Madrid are struggling in La Liga. It looks like, for the second consecutive season, they will not be winning the Spanish title. FC Barcelona are in the driver’s seat to retain the title. The Champions League is the only way Real Madrid can avoid a trophyless campaign. The 15-time winners are known for making comebacks in the competition, so Wednesday’s game is evenly poised.
Team News
Bayern have no fresh injury concerns before the game against Real Madrid. Serge Gnabry returned to training after missing the game against St. Pauli due to a minor injury. Vincent Kompany confirmed that Gnabry is fit to start the game on Wednesday.
Lennart Karl and Sven Ulreich are the only absentees for Bayern. Karl suffered a hamstring strain last week, ruling him out for three weeks. Ulreich has started training on the pitch at Sabner Strasse, but this game comes too soon for him.
Predicted Starting XI
After keeping a clean sheet on the weekend, Neuer’s confidence will be further boosted. The 40-year-old goalkeeper was in sublime form during the first leg against Real Madrid, helping Bayern to get the slender lead. Neuer will look to deliver a similar performance on Wednesday.
Vincent Kompany will go with his in-form back four against Real Madrid. Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano will form the center-back partnership in the back four. Josip Stanisic will keep his place in the left-back position, while Konrad Laimer will start on the right side of the back four.
In the center of the park, the selection for Bayern is straightforward. Joshua Kimmich will play alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic in midfield as the German duo will look to kill the supply line for Real Madrid forwards.
With Serge Gnabry fit to start on Wednesday, Kompany will stick to last week’s front four. Gnabry will play in the number ten position behind Harry Kane. Michael Olise will occupy the right flank, while Luis Diaz is expected to start on the left side of the attack.
Bayern Munich predicted XI: Neuer; Stanisic, Tah, Upamecano, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Diaz, Gnabry, Olise; Kane
Score Prediction
Bayern Munich 2-1 Real Madrid
Despite their poor form in La Liga, Real Madrid always step up in the Champions League. It is not going to be a straightforward win for Bayern. The Spanish club will most likely score a goal at Allianz Arena, but Bayern will do enough to seal the win by scoring twice. There is a good chance the game will follow the same trend as last week.
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