Real Madrid v Bayern: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, April 17, 2017
Article summary
Real Madrid have the edge going into Tuesday's home second leg, but Zinédine Zidane insists his team still need to be at their best to preserve their lead over Bayern.
Article top media content
Article body
- Two second-half Ronaldo goals earned Madrid 2-1 first-leg win
- Teams' 24th meeting, the most-played fixture in UEFA club competition
- Carlo Ancelotti returns to club he led to tenth European Cup in 2014
- Sergio Ramos set for 100th Champions League game
- These sides have won five apiece in European Cup knockout ties
Possible line-ups
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modrić; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Out: Pepe (ribs), Varane (hamstring), Bale (calf)
Misses next match if booked: Modrić, Ramos, Kroos
Bayern: Neuer; Lahm, Alonso, Alaba, Bernat; Vidal, Thiago; Robben, Ribéry; Lewandowski, Müller.
Out: Javi Martínez (suspended)
Doubtful: Boateng (adductor), Hummels (ankle)
Misses next match if booked: Boateng, Vidal
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Zinédine Zidane, Madrid coach
Bayern have a brilliant squad in all departments. We know they have a lot of quality, but like any side they have their weak spots. We'll need to play our game, prepare as well as we did for the first leg, and we won't be resting on our laurels. Bayern will be a big game which will be won on small details.
We need to produce a performance. We want to win this game – we've forgotten the first leg – so we will go out to win. We know how difficult Bayern are home and away. They don't change much and they'll pressure you until the final whistle. We need to play very, very, very well.
Carlo Ancelotti, Bayern coach
We will need a great performance to go through. We have less of chance than a week ago, but we still have a chance. I was here for two years, I have unforgettable memories from that time.
Today's training session is important for Boateng and Hummels. Lewandowski is OK – he trained yesterday with everyone and is fine. The other two trained individually. We need to test them on the pitch with the ball but I think they have a great chance of playing.
Obviously Lewandowski's presence will help us, but we won't be changing approach – we will play as we have all year. He's a big player who scores a lot of goals for us and gives us more confidence.
Weekend results
Sporting Gijón 2-3 Real Madrid (Čop 14, Vesga 50; Isco 17 90, Morata 59)
Only Sergio Ramos and Nacho were retained from the team that started last Wednesday's 2-1 triumph in Munich. Zidane's reshuffled XI trailed twice in northern Spain but ultimately snatched maximum points thanks to Isco's late drive from outside the box.
Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Bayern
Without the suspended Robert Lewandowski, who had missed the midweek loss to Madrid with a shoulder problem, Ancelotti's men failed to make their dominance count. Bayern even had a numerical advantage for the last 31 minutes after Tin Jedvaj was sent off.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Madrid: WWDWWW
Bayern: DLWLWW
Reporter's view: Joe Walker (@UEFAcomJoeW)
Madrid were worried when they drew Ancelotti's team, but that display in Munich shows just why they have won a record 11 European Cups. With Lewandowski returning for the visitors, the Merengues know they will have to be at their best defensively, although Bayern's need to score twice should play into their hands. Ancelotti knows just how lethal the Madrid counterattack can be, and the match situation definitely suits the hosts. They will sit back, allow Bayern to push on and look to spring on the break.
Did you know?
The first leg also finished 2-1 when these sides met in the 2011/12 semi-finals. Three goals inside 27 minutes of the second meeting levelled up the tie, which eventually went to penalties. Remember what happened? For the answer to that and other facts and statistics, check out our extensive match background.