At a glance
- Real Madrid host Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
- Los Blancos are looking to win the Champions League for the 16th time in their history and face one of the most in-form sides in Europe.
- Madrid haven’t been knocked out of Europe Cup by Bayern since 2012, trumping them all four times that followed.
- Real Madrid Expected XI: Lunin; Trent, Rudiger, Militao, Fran Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Pitarch, Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius.
After a disappointing defeat in La Liga against Mallorca last weekend, Real Madrid turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League as they prepare to take on Bayern Munich in the first leg of the quarterfinals.
Trailing Barcelona by seven points in the Spanish top flight, Alvaro Arbeloa is potentially fighting for his job and needs to clinch glory in the Europe. Simultaneously, a number of Madrid players could also be playing for their futures at the club off the back of a disappointing season so far, at least domestically.
It’s fair to say that Bayern are coming into the tie as heavy favourites having dominated the Bundesliga and the initial phases of the continental competition. But history is on Real Madrid’s side, who have knocked the Bavarian giants out of the Champions League four times since 2014.
These two teams last met in the Spanish capital in the Champions League semifinals in 2024. Joselu was the hero for Los Blancos, who sealed a 2-1 win at the death.
Alphonso Davies’ goal had put Bayern Munich, then managed by Thomas Tuchel, 1-0 up on the night. It 3-2 up on aggregate after the first leg ended 2-2 courtesy of a brace from Vinicius Junior at the Allianz Arena. Yet Joselu became a modern day hero at the Bernabeu with his winner.
Whenever Real Madrid have knocked Bayern Munich out of the Champions League in the last decade or so, they have gone on to win the competition. Arbeloa will hope the trend continues, and his team need to secure an advantage before heading to Munich.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid come into the tie having knocked out Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. They also had to go through a play-off round, which they won 3-1 against Benfica.
For the first leg, Madrid will be without Thibaut Courtois, Dani Ceballos and Rodrygo. Ferland Mendy’s availability is also doubtful, even though he trained with the team in Monday’s session. Eder Militao is set to start having marked his return from a four-month layoff last weekend.
So too are Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, who played very few minutes in the Man City double header.
Expected XI: Lunin; Trent, Rudiger, Militao, Fran Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Pitarch, Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich finished second in the league phase of the Champions League this season. Unlike Real Madrid, they were not forced to participate in a play-off round. In the last 16, however, Vincent Kompany’s men flexed their offensive muscles and hammered Atalanta 10-2 on aggregate.
Fitness-wise, there are no major concerns for them coming into the first leg against Madrid. Harry Kane was doubtful but having trained with the team on Monday, it’s expected that he’ll start.
Expected XI: Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane
