The first leg in Bavaria was a thriller, but provided an inconclusive result, so we must now have a winner in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich match preview
Given that these two clubs have 20 European Cups between them, featuring in 41% of all 68 Champions League Finals between them, despite never facing each-other in one, it wasn’t too surprising that the first leg was a high-calibre exhibition of football.
Bayern Munich certainly started better but, in true Real Madrid fashion, it was they who struck first, with Toni Kroos’ exquisite, inch-perfect through-ball finding Vinícius Júnior who slotted beyond Manuel Neuer.
The German juggernauts, 1-0 down at the interval, weren’t behind for long after the break, with Leroy Sané thundering home an equaliser, before referee Clément Turpin pointed to the penalty spot soon after, with Lucas Vázquez penalised for a trip on Jamal Musiala.
The ever reliable Harry Kane sent Andriy Lunin the wrong way and the Allianz Arena erupted into a cacophony of noise.
But, there was to be a twist in the tale, as los Blancos were awarded a late penalty, Kim Min-jae dragging down Rodrygo, with Vini Jr the coolest man the Bavaria, slotting home a potentially pivotal equaliser.
2-2 it finished, meaning it’s now winner takes all for a place at Wembley.
Real Madrid, remarkably, are targeting a sixth Champions League triumph in just 11 seasons, having already overcome RB Leipzig and then holders Manchester City on penalties in the knockout phase.
At the weekend, Carlo Ancelotti’s team were crowned La Liga champions, courtesy of their comfortable 3-0 win over Cádiz, following by Barcelona calamitous 4-2 defeat at Montilivi later on Saturday evening.
So, will los Merengues remain on track to win both the league and European Cup in the same season for only the fifth time, previously achieving this feat in 1957, 1958, 2017 and 2022?
For Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga has been a near-foregone conclusion for over a decade, but their 11-year stranglehold over the Meisterschale has come to an end this season, unable to keep pace with the unbeatable Bayer Leverkusen.
However, having already ousted Lazio and Arsenal, the campaign could still end on a massive high, although this is the only opportunity for Thomas Tuchel’s team to avoid a trophyless season.
The last time Bayern featured at this stage of the Champions League they won the whole thing in 2020, although they have lost each of their last four semi-finals played over two legs, all coming against Spanish opposition, desperate to avoid déjà vu.
Nevertheless, having earned that draw on the road, we cannot see beyond a Real Madrid triumph at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich Tips
As alluded to, we’re backing Real Madrid to get the job done at home.
Los Blancos have won 18 of 22 home matches this season, claiming victory in 12 of their last 17 Champions League matches at the Bernabéu, losing only two.
Meanwhile, this will be Bayern Munich’s 14th visit to the Bernabéu, claiming just two victories, these coming in 2000 and then 2001, losing six of seven trips since the latter.
During this season’s knockout phase, Thomas Tuchel’s team have lost in Rome and drawn in North London, so we’d be very surprised if die Roten left the Spanish capital victorious.
We’re also expecting a goal-fest.
These two clubs have met 11 times since 2007, all in the Champions League, with these fixtures witnessing 39 goals, with both teams scoring in nine of them, trends we’re forecasting will continue.
Bayern Munich have been involved in 17 matches this season that would meet the criteria of both teams to score and 4+ goals, including the first leg and then Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Stuttgart.
On the flip side, the exact same figure, 17 of Real Madrid’s fixtures across all competitions have produced 4+ goals with both teams scoring.
Both teams’ superstar attackers were on target at Allianz Arena eight nights ago, a trend we’re forecasting will continue.
Harry Kane converted a penalty at Neckarstadion on Saturday, taking his tally to 44 goals in just 33 starts for Bayern Munich, including five in his last four.
The Englishman has eight Champions League goals to his name this season, making him the joint-top scorer in the competition, so we’re backing him to net against Real Madrid once more.
On the other side, Vinícius Júnior’s double in Germany means he has now scored 21 times this season, on target in their recent Clásico victory, scoring six in his last four La Liga starts.
The Brazilian now has five Champions League goals to his name during this campaign, taking his tally to 20 in the competition, and we’re predicting that Vini Jr. will add to this in a win for his team.
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