Bayern look to overcome deficit against Real Madrid

Real Madrid vs Bayern – Tuesday, May 1, 19:45BST/20:45CEST – Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain.

Real Madrid vs Bayern will take place at the Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

It was a night to forget for Bayern. The Rekordmeister dominated the first leg against Real Madrid and despite 60% possession and countless chances managed to lose the first leg.

Following the game the Bayern camp remained optimistic  ”We dominated the game and were simply to in-effective, but we remain optimistic and will give everything in Madrid”, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic told the media at the Allianz Arena.

“It was a good start to the first half, but then we were too naive. We had plenty of opportunities, and I had to laugh when it was only 1-1 at halftime. Overall, we should have gotten a better result. Everything is still possible. But we have done ourselves no favours”, Müller added.

If there’s a ray of hope for Bayern Munich, who head to Spain in a 2-1 deficit to Real Madrid, it’s that Real were trounced on their home soil by Juventus in the quarterfinals (3-1). Juve were poised to pull off one of the most unlikely comebacks in Champions League history before a late penalty allowed Madrid to narrowly advance on aggregate. Bayern certainly has the firepower to pull of something similar.

That said, their average +600 odds to win the tournament is an accurate reflection making it important to review which sportsbooks are listed as being safe and offer best odds before you decide to wager on Bayern’s longshot status. Not only do they need to win at the Bernabeu, they need to score at least two goals to match Real’s away total.

At the same time, one also needs to remember that Bayern will be without defender Jérôme Boateng, who could be out for four to six weeks. Furthermore, Arjen Robben will also be doubtful. If there is, however, a side that can make the impossible happen then it is Bayern, who showed last year that they should not be underestimated when it comes to knockout games.

Real Madrid vs Bayern – Players to look out for:

Cristiano Ronaldo #7 – Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo was almost not needed in the first leg. The Portuguese forward was completely taken out of the game by Bayern’s defence. Only once did Cristiano shoot on goal but his goal was waved back due to him being offside. Nonetheless, it is difficult to look past Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to Real Madrid’s key players. The 33-year-old Portuguese forward has been once again phenomenal in the UEFA Champions League this season. His bicycle kick against Juventus was the most spectacular of the 15 goals Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in his 11 Champions League games this season – one goal every 60 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo also loves scoring against Bayern. The Portuguese forward has scored seven goals in the last three appearances against Bayern – and nine goals in six matches overall.

Cristiano Ronaldo loves playing against Bayern München (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Frank Ribéry #7 – Bayern München

It was a busy evening for Frank Ribéry in the first leg. With his congenial partner Arjen Robben having to go off in the fifth minute Ribéry became the centre point for all of Bayern’s attacks. Over and over again did the Frenchman attempt to break through. But the 35-year-old was once again left off the scoresheet in the UEFA Champions League this season. With Robben still unsure for the second leg Ribéry will once again be the key player in attack and crucial for any hopes the Bavarians may hedge to still advance to the final.

Frank Ribéry will be Bayern’s key player. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Real Madrid vs Bayern – Match Stats

• Bayern overcame a 1-2 deficit last season – but then succumbed in extra-time.
• Only twice in UEFA Champions League history have a team overhauled a first-leg home defeat to win the tie, and Bayern have painful memories of the more recent case having been beaten by FC Internazionale Milano in the 2010/11 round of 16 (1-0 away, 2-3 home). That followed AFC Ajax’s loss to Panathinaikos FC in the 1995/96 semi-finals (0-1 h, 3-0 a).
• This is Madrid’s record eighth successive UEFA Champions League semi-final, while Bayern are in the last four for the sixth time in seven seasons.
• This is the clubs’ fourth two-legged tie in seven seasons, Madrid winning two of those to Bayern’s one. Overall, the teams have played in 11 previous knockout contests – all in the European Cup – Madrid winning six and Bayern five; the German club lead 4-2 in semi-final ties.

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Real Madrid vs Bayern – 1-2 (Bayern to advance after penalties)

Real Madrid vs Bayern – Lineups

Real Madrid:

Formation: 4-2-2-2

Navas – Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Vazquez – Kroos, Kovačić, Casemiro, Modrić – Cristiano Ronaldo, Asensio

Head Coach: Zinedine Zidane

Bayern München:

Formation: 4-3-3

Ulreich – Alaba, Hummels, Süle, Kimmich – Thiago, Javi Martínez, James – Ribéry, Lewandowski, Müller

Head Coach: Jupp Heynckes

Manuel Veth is the owner and Editor in Chief of the Futbolgrad Network. He also works as a freelance journalist and among others works for the Bundesliga and Pro Soccer USA. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which is available HERE. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada.  Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth. Or contact him via email: manuelveth@futbolgrad.com.