Even if Real Madrid start with the label of favorite in front of their public, the Bavarians want to believe it given their possibilities last Tuesday. “Real are extremely dangerous, but also playable. It all depends on whether or not we put the ball in the net.”thinks Thomas Müller who has already reached four Champions League finals with Bayern.
As reasons for hope, Thomas Tuchel will be delighted with the return of Matthijs de Ligt in defense and the rediscovered form of Serge Gnabry who could return to the starting lineup to hurt Madrid defenders alongside scoring machine Harry Kane ( 44 goals this season). Bayern's last two visits to Madrid also leave one dreaming. The 2-2 in the 2018 semi-final second leg would lead to extra time, while the 1-2 acquired after 90 minutes (Editor's note: there was then extra time won 4-2 by Real) by Bayern under… Ancelotti would be enough to go to the final.
5 years without elimination in Madrid
But for the rest, all signals point towards the Spanish camp. Bayern, for example, was eliminated in the last three Champions League duels with Real Madrid, who qualified 18 times out of 19 – all opponents combined – after avoiding defeat in the first leg… For their part, Bayern was eliminated after a draw at home in four out of five cases.
The statistics in the Santiago Bernabeù fortress are also impressive. Undefeated this season in its stadium, Real has not lost since April 8, 2023 against Villarreal. And in the Champions League? The last defeat dates back to April 12, 2022 against Chelsea (2-3), but the last elimination at home must be looked for even further back: March 5, 2019 in the round of 16 against Ajax (1-4 defeat).
Indecisive duel in Madrid between Real and Bayern, Dortmund has the hand visiting PSG
