Real Madrid, 15-time UEFA Champions League winners, are all set to host six-time winners Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday. While the Bundesliga champions have been a force to reckon with this season, Los Blancos have been very inconsistent of late.
The home team could not secure a top-eight finish in the league phase. As a result, they had to square up against Benfica in the play-offs to set up a round of 16 tie against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. While the odds were against them, Real Madrid still managed to smash City 5-1 on aggregate.
While the Merengues’ European form has been exceptional, they have struggled in La Liga. Following their shocking defeat to RCD Mallorca last week, Barcelona now have a seven-point lead at the top. Los Blancos’ entire season and Alvaro Arbeloa’s future now seem dependent on the UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, the visitors are nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga standings. With just six games to go, Vincent Kompany’s team are in pole position to secure the league title. They will now be looking to go the distance in the Champions League as well.
Bayern finished second in the league phase to set up a round of 16 tie with Atalanta. Die Roten thrashed the Serie A outfit 10-2 on aggregate. They have been unbeaten in their last 13 games across competitions and are heading into this fixture on the back of three straight wins.
Given the kind of form Bayern have been in, they certainly seem to be favourites. However, Real Madrid are the most successful team in the Champions League, and they do tend to figure out a way to win these big games. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Real Madrid do have a big boost as Federico Valverde is back available after serving a suspension in La Liga this past weekend. But they do remain without the services of Thibaut Courtois (thigh) and Rodrygo (knee), while Ferland Mendy (hamstring) and Dani Ceballos (calf) are major doubts.
The team in white are expected to stick with the 4-3-1-2 formation, where Andriy Lunin will feature in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras should continue as the full-backs, while Antonio Rudiger will pair up with Dean Huijsen in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Jude Bellingham might not be risked from the start, having recently returned from injury. As a result, Thiago Pitarch could be handed another start in the centre of the park alongside Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Arda Guler should continue to reprise the number ten role, while Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior should spearhead the Real Madrid attack against Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Pitarch, Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
While the visitors do have the majority of their stars available, they do remain without the services of Sven Ulreich, Cassiano Kiala, David Santos and Wisdom Mike. Meanwhile, Harry Kane is also a doubt to start as he is struggling with an ankle issue.
Bayern Munich will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Manuel Neuer will be in goal. Jospi Stanisic and Konrad Laimer will be the full-backs, while Dayot Upamecano will start alongside Jonathan Tah in the central defensive partnership.
The back four will be protected by Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, who will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will look to ensure Bayern Munich dominate the ball and control the tempo of the game.
Serge Gnabry could continue in the number ten role, with Michael Olise and Luis Diaz likely to take charge on the flanks. If Harry Kane is not cleared to start, Nicolas Jackson may lead the line for Bayern Munich against Real Madrid.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Jackson
Mbappe will undoubtedly be the player to watch as Real Madrid gear up for yet another high-stakes Champions League night. The French superstar has been in sensational form this season, racking up 38 goals and six assists in 36 appearances, including an impressive 14 goal contributions in just nine UEFA Champions League outings.
While Mbappe has not quite hit top gear since returning from his recent knee injury, this fixture presents the perfect stage for him to rediscover his very best. With Bayern Munich expected to play on the front foot, spaces are likely to open up, something the Frenchman thrives on.
Real Madrid will look to make the most of their home advantage in the first leg, and despite their recent inconsistency in La Liga, they tend to rise to the occasion on big European nights. With their attacking firepower and experience in knockout football, Los Blancos are expected to take the initiative at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bayern Munich, however, come into this fixture in red-hot form and will not shy away from playing their natural game. With their ability to dominate possession and hurt teams in transition, they are more than capable of troubling Madrid’s defence.
While this promises to be a closely contested encounter, Real Madrid’s pedigree in the Champions League could give them a slight edge heading into the second leg. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for the home team.
