Bayern Munich's season hasn't been as smooth as they'd like. They lost their Bundesliga crown, got knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by lower-tier Saarbrucken, and fell to RB Leipzig in the Super Cup. Now, their hopes rest on the Champions League, which is all that stands between them and a season without silverware. The team, led by Thomas Tuchel, is aiming for redemption in Europe.
Bayern's journey to the semi-finals involved a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the second leg, thanks to a Joshua Kimmich header, after a 2-2 draw in the first leg. This set them up for their first semi-final appearance since winning the Champions League in 2019-20.
The German giants have been strong at home, with a 15-match unbeaten run in the Champions League, dating back to a loss to Paris Saint-Germain nearly three years ago. Their star striker, Harry Kane, who scored his 400th career goal recently, is expected to lead the charge as Bayern look to keep their European hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid, under the experienced Carlo Ancelotti, are on an 18-game unbeaten run across all competitions and are on the verge of reclaiming the La Liga title. Their journey to the semi-finals included a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Manchester City, with Andriy Lunin stepping up to make key saves. Real Madrid also had a memorable win over Barcelona in El Clásico, adding to their confidence heading into the match against Bayern.
Real Madrid's unbeaten run in the Champions League this season has reached 10 matches, just one shy of their all-time record. The Spanish club has a strong record against Bayern, remaining unbeaten in six consecutive Champions League meetings, knocking them out in 2013-14, 2016-17, and 2017-18, which were all seasons when Real Madrid won the tournament.
With both teams in good form and high stakes, this semi-final is shaping up to be a must-watch contest, where Bayern will aim to reassert their dominance at home, while Real Madrid will look to continue their European journey with a solid result in Munich.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Bayern Munich didn't seem to miss Alphonso Davies, who was serving a one-match suspension, during their second leg against Arsenal. Despite his absence, Noussair Mazraoui and Raphael Guerreiro did a fantastic job containing Bukayo Saka. The good news for Bayern is that Davies is back and available for their upcoming match.However, they still have a number of key players out with long-term injuries, including Sacha Boey (hip), Gabriel Marusic (ACL), Bouna Sarr (ACL), and Tarek Buchmann (hamstring). These players weren't likely to start, but Bayern's injury woes extend to some of their first-team regulars.
Konrad Laimer and Matthijs de Ligt both picked up injuries in their recent win over Frankfurt, with Laimer injuring his ankle and de Ligt hurting his knee. Thomas Tuchel is hoping they'll be fit for the first leg. Jamal Musiala, who missed the weekend's game with tendon pain, is in a similar situation.
The list of injuries doesn't end there. Leroy Sane (groin), Serge Gnabry (hamstring), Dayot Upamecano (ankle), and Kingsley Coman (groin) are also dealing with injuries. Only Coman is definitely ruled out for the first leg.
In contrast, Real Madrid's injury list is much shorter. Carlo Ancelotti is expected to welcome back Jude Bellingham, who missed the match against Real Sociedad due to illness. Rodrygo (illness) and Ferland Mendy (fatigue) are also back, leaving only Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba in the treatment room, both with knee injuries. Courtois might even return for the upcoming match against Cadiz on May 4.
Ancelotti will have to make a change at right-back because Dani Carvajal is suspended after picking up a yellow card at the Etihad Stadium. Lucas Vazquez, who impressed in El Clásico, will take his place in the starting lineup against Bayern. With a few changes expected, Real Madrid will look to field a strong team with Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Mendy likely back in the starting eleven.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:Neuer; Kimmich, Kim, Dier, Davies; Goretzka, Pavlovic; Muller, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Lunin; Vazquez, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
EXPERT PREDICTION
Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, is struggling with a long list of injuries. Even with Harry Kane leading the attack, their depleted squad could face problems against a Real Madrid team known for its knack for pulling off wins in the Champions League. With Real Madrid's ability to capitalize on their chances, it wouldn't be surprising to see them head back to Spain with a narrow lead after the first leg.
