Bayern Munich host Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena for the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
The Bavarians won 2-1 in the first leg at Madrid, giving them the advantage ahead of this clash.
Match preview
Bayern extended their winning streak to 15 games across all competitions after claiming a 5-0 victory at St Pauli in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
They rested several key players in the clash, keeping an eye on Wednesday’s showdown with Madrid.
Bayern were the better side in the first leg, but were not clinical. They became complacent in the second half, allowing Madrid to keep themselves in the tie.
Michael Olise impressed, giving Alvaro Carreras a tough game.
The Frenchman is expected to be vital here, with Bayern likely to attack predominantly from the right side, given Madrid’s vulnerability at left-back.
Bayern need to be wary of their high defensive line, considering Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior’s pace.
Madrid head into this clash off the back of a 1-1 home draw with Girona in La Liga, leaving them nine points behind leaders Barcelona.
They now have a slim chance of winning the league, making Wednesday’s encounter more important.
Los Blancos could take inspiration from their recent record in Munich, where they have won three and drawn one of their last four visits.
However, Madrid need a significantly improved performance at both ends of the pitch.
They need to be more prolific to get the better of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who was outstanding last time out, while ensuring their full-backs are not isolated against Olise and Luis Diaz.
Team news
Bayern will be without Lennart Karl and Sven Ulreich due to injury.
Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo are injured, while Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended.
Predicted line-ups
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer, Josip Stanisic, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Konrad Laimer, Luis Diaz, Serge Gnabry, Michael Olise, Harry Kane.
Real Madrid (4-4-2): Andriy Lunin, Alvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Arder Guler, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe.
Prediction
We predict a 2-2 draw.
Stats from transfermarkt.com.
