The big Champions League knockout games are back after a brief break due to the international break. Bayern Munich will play their toughest games of the season during the quarterfinals as they face 15-time champions Real Madrid. The first leg of this blockbuster tie will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Bayern come into this game on the back of an enthralling 3-2 comeback win against Freiburg. They turned around the game against Freiburg in the final 15 minutes of the game, going from 2-0 down to leading the game 3-2 by the full-time whistle. Vincent Kompany’s men have been in exceptional form since the start of March. During this run, they had beaten Atalanta 10-2 on aggregate in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
On the other hand, Real Madrid are struggling to keep pace with the defending La Liga champions FC Barcelona in the La Liga title race. It does look like the Champions League is the only way they can win silverware this season. They knocked out Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the round of 16. With a noisy Santiago Bernabeu behind Real Madrid, Bayern face a stern challenge on Tuesday.
Team News
Bayern have received a significant boost ahead of the game at Santiago Bernabeu as Harry Kane trained with the squad on Monday. The English striker has travelled with the team to Madrid. It remains to be seen if Kane will start the game or play a role from the bench. Die Roten have been cautiously optimistic about Kane playing a big role against Real Madrid.
Nicolas Jackson will be back in the squad against Real Madrid after missing the game against Freiburg due to suspension. Vincent Kompany has the entire first team squad available for selection against Real Madrid.
Predicted Starting XI
Manuel Neuer had a mixed game against Freiburg. He pulled off two brilliant saves but made an error during Freiburg’s second goal. Despite the mixed outing against Freiburg, the veteran goalkeeper is expected to start in the goal.
Kompany will deploy his preferred center-back partnership of Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah on Tuesday. Konrad Laimer will return to the starting XI and slot in the right-back role. Alphonso Davies looked electric after coming off the bench against Freiburg, but it remains to be seen if he is fit to start on Tuesday. He may have a role to play later in the game, so Josip Stanisic will continue in the left-back position.
The performance of midfielders on Tuesday will have a big say on the outcome of the game. Kompany will stick with his preferred midfield pairing of Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic.
Considering the enormity and importance of the game, there is a good chance Harry Kane leads the attack for Bayern on Tuesday. Luis Diaz will start on the left, while Michael Olise will slot in the right wing role. Serge Gnabry has been in fine form over the past few weeks, so he is expected to play behind Kane.
Bayern Munich Starting XI: Neuer; Stanisic, Tah, Upamecano, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Diaz, Gnabry, Olise; Kane
Score Prediction
Real Madrid 2-3 Bayern Munich
Bayern have not enjoyed a good record against Real Madrid in the recent past. However, the Bavarian club is the in-form team in Europe right now. Real Madrid have the habit of turning up for big Champions League nights. The stakes are high, so it is all set for a thrilling game, with Bayern getting a narrow advantage before the second leg in Munich.