Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal Second Leg
Date: Tuesday, 18th April 2017
Kick-off at 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid)
There’s no beating around the bush: Tuesday’s match against Real Madrid in the Champions League is the biggest match of the season. Bayern Munich have their hands full with a 1-2 deficit that they have to overcome.
With Robert Lewandowski back in training and ready to go in the match, that leaves Carlo Ancelotti with only two areas of concern that he must figure out before he names his starting lineup.
Defensively, everything hinges on the health of Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng and whether or not the two centerbacks can start. If one or both cannot go, Bayern will be in big trouble. Are you preparing for a David Alaba and Joshua Kimmich start at centerback?
We asked three of our writers to predict what lineup Ancelotti will play against Real Madrid.
Team news
Gareth Bale is a doubt for Real Madrid with a calf injury. The winger could join defenders Raphael Varane and Pepe on the sidelines.
Javi Martinez will miss Tuesday’s match after his sending off in Munich last week.
Matts Hummels could return in his place, as could top scorer Robert Lewandowski, who missed the first leg with a shoulder injury.
Jerome Boateng also comes back into contention and will be assessed following a groin injury.
Opta stats
All five previous teams winning 2-1 away from home in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie have progressed to the next round.
This is the 24th European Cup/Champions League fixture between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid - the 18th under the Champions League era - a record in the history of the tournament.
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are perfectly level in their European Cup/Champions League knockout encounters, progressing five times each.
Bayern Munich have lost eight of their last 10 away games against Real Madrid in all competitions (W2), including the last five. In fact, Bayern last beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in May 2001 thanks to a goal by Giovane Elber (1-0).
Bayern Munich have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the sixth consecutive season. In fact, in each of the five previous campaigns, they've also systematically made it to the semis.
Real Madrid have reached the semi-finals in each of the previous six seasons. A seventh in a row would constitute a new record.
Since 2010/11, Real Madrid have won 34 of their 40 Champions League games at Santiago Bernabeu (D4 L2). Their two defeats during that time came against Barcelona in April 2011 (0-2) and Schalke in March 2015 (3-4).
Real Madrid have also never failed to score in their last 34 Champions League home games, longest ever run in the competition. Barcelona were the last team to leave the Bernabeu with a clean sheet (2-0 in April 2011).
Betting
Champions League outright favourites Real Madrid are 13/10 to beat Bayern Munich again, with the German giants 17/10 to win and 9/4 to qualify for the semi-finals. Zinedine Zidane's men were cut to 7/4 to defend their title after triumphing in Munich, while their visitors are now out to 9/1 to lift the trophy.
Ronaldo is the 7/2 favourite in the first goalscorer betting while Lewandowski's value for the hosts is clear from his place at the head of their side of the betting at 4/1.
