Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 UEFA Champions League | Semi-Final
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THE FACTS
When is Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid on and what time does it start? Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid will take place on Tuesday 30th April, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid on in the UK? Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid in the UK? Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
BAYERN MUNICH
Only opponents Real Madrid have reached this stage of the Champions League more times than Bayern Munich, who are embarking on their 13th semi-final venture in this form of the competition. The six-time European champions are fighting to lift what is now the only piece of silverware available for them to win this season after Bayer Leverkusen recently wrapped up the Bundesliga title, ending the Rekordmeister’s 11-year stranglehold on the Meisterschale.
In what was a tight quarter-final encounter with English giants Arsenal, Thomas Tuchel’s side edged through with a narrow 1-0 victory in the second-leg at home, sealing a 3-2 aggregate win. Joshua Kimmich scored the only goal in a match that saw Bayern Munich again demonstrate their recently defensive resurgence in the tournament, having now kept four clean sheets across their last six Champions League fixtures.
REAL MADRID
Real Madrid are all set to compete in their 33rd European Cup final and 17th in the Champions League era, both record numbers and a testament to their European pedigree as they continue their hunt for a historic 15th title. Los Blancos have found memories or previous trips to Munich, beating Bayern in each of their last three clashes in Germany and have reached this stage of the competition after having knocked out reigning champions Man City on penalties after a 4-4 draw on aggregate.
What was most impressive about Real Madrid’s triumph over Man City was how well Carlo Ancelotti’s side defended across the second-leg, restricting the most recent Premier League winners to just one goal over the course of 120 minutes. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin excelled, as did his entire backline. They’ll need to replicate that level of performance here in Munich against a club who have failed to score in just two of their last 51 home Champions League fixtures.
THE TEAM NEWS
BAYERN MUNICH
With Kingsley Coman out through injury, Bayern Munich could opt to start Raphael Guerreiro in an advanced left-midfield position as they did against Arsenal, although that would mean one of Serge Gnabry or Thomas Muller missing out with Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala both likely to start. After missing their quarter-final second-leg triumph over Arsenal through suspension, Alphonso Davies should come back into the side, whilst both Matthijs de Ligt and Konrad Laimer are doubtful, although the expectation is that both will be passed fit to play.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, de Ligt, Dier, Davies; Goretzka, Laimer; Sane, Musiala, Guerreiro; Kane
UNAVAILABLE: Boey (Injured), Sarr (Injured) Coman (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: De Ligt (Injured), Laimer (Injured)
REAL MADRID
Experienced full-back Dani Carvajal misses out through suspension, which should mean a start for Lucas Vazquez as his direct replacement. Ancelotti has confirmed that Aurelien Tchouameni will play, most likely be as Antonio Rudiger’s centre-back partner despite how well Nacho played together with Rudiger in Manchester. Luka Modric is expected to start on the bench, but will no doubt be introduced later in the piece.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Lucas Vazquez, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
UNAVAILABLE: Alaba (Injured), Carvajal (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- This is the eighth time that Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have faced each other in a European Cup/Champions League semi-final tie – the most played tie at this stage of the competition. Bayern Munich have been successful in four of the previous seven semi-final ties with Real Madrid winning on three occasions – including each of the last two.
- Overall, this is the 27th UEFA competition match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid – no two teams have met on more occasions. The head-to-head record is very close with Real Madrid winning 12 matches to Bayern’s 11 and the pair have also drawn three times.
- Bayern Munich have lost only one of their last 11 UEFA competition matches against Spanish teams (W7 D3).
- Bayern Munich have lost only four of their previous 32 UEFA competition matches against Spanish teams in Munich (W21 D7).
- Bayern Munich have won 12 and drawn three of their last 15 Champions League matches at home.
- Bayern Munich have lost only one of their last 24 Champions League matches at home (W20 D3).
- Bayern Munich have kept seven clean sheets in their last ten Champions League matches at home.
- Manuel Neuer (38y 34d) could become the oldest German player to make an appearance in a Champions League semi-final match (UCL era). He would also be the oldest Bayern Munich player to do so ahead of Lothar Matthaus (38y 31d vs Dynamo Kyiv, April 1999).
- Real Madrid have lost only one of their last 18 UEFA competition matches against German teams (W12 D5).
- Real Madrid have won their last eight Champions League two-legged ties against German teams. Since losing against Borussia Dortmund in the 2012-13 semi-finals.
- Real Madrid have won seven and drawn three of their previous ten Champions League matches this season. They are the only unbeaten team in the semi-finals of the 2023-24 Champions League.
- Real Madrid have drawn three successive matches in the Champions League (GS to F) for the first time.
- Real Madrid have only failed to score in one of their last 29 UEFA competition matches.
- Real Madrid have won away from home in only three of their last 30 UEFA competition two-legged semi-final ties.
THE PREDICTION
Whilst the first-leg of both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid’s quarter-final ties were full of action from an attacking standpoint with ten goals scored across both games, this clash is expected to be significantly tighter. Real Madrid are likely to deploy a similar playstyle as to the one they utilised to great effect away to Man City, prioritising a solid defensive set-up with a view to hitting the hosts on the break if the chance arises. Bayern Munich will be well-aware of that pace their opponents possess on the attack and Thomas Tuchel will have no doubt devised a gameplan in which to deal with that threat. But at the same time, home advantage is in Bayern’s favour and with one of Europe’s most deadly strikers in Harry Kane at their disposal, the onus is on the German giants to break down Real Madrid. It’s very hard to see this tie definitively swinging one way in Munich and when considering that both teams drew their respective first-legs in the last round, the same outcome is well worth backing on this occasion.
TIP: DRAW
