Stage Set for Epic Second Leg
The UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich promises another night of high-octane entertainment. The first leg produced a scintillating 2-2 draw, leaving everything to play for at the Bernabéu.
This match is a straight shootout for a place in the Champions League final. While Bayern holds a historical edge with four aggregate victories over Real Madrid at this stage of the competition, recent history favors Los Blancos. Real Madrid has emerged victorious in the last two Champions League encounters between these two giants.
Real Madrid Riding High on La Liga Triumph
Carlo Ancelotti’s men head into this clash brimming with confidence following their recent La Liga title win. They secured their 36th league championship with a convincing 3-0 victory over Cádiz, while their arch-rivals Barcelona suffered a defeat.
This triumph marked 37th competitive win of the season (D10, L2). Furthermore, they boast a streak of scoring at least two goals in their last five home matches. Considering this form, Bayern’s attack will need a stellar performance to overcome their Spanish hosts.
Bayern Seeking Redemption After Weekend Stumble
Bayern Munich’s preparations for the second leg were far from ideal. They suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Stuttgart over the weekend.
While the starting lineup was heavily rotated in anticipation of this crucial Champions League fixture, the result extends their recent slump to just four wins from their last nine competitive matches (D2, L3). Adding to their woes, Bayern has conceded two or more goals in eight of their last ten away trips across all competitions.
This recent dip in form makes Bayern the underdogs heading into the Bernabéu. However, their historical record against La Liga sides shouldn’t be ignored.
The Bavarians boast just one defeat in their last 12 encounters with Spanish teams, home or away (W7, D4). However, a concerning trend for Bayern is their record in knockout ties against Spanish opposition, having lost six of their last eight such encounters.
Key Players and Interesting Statistics
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Players to Watch: Despite coming off the bench, Real Madrid’s young sensation Jude Bellingham managed to grab his 22nd goal of the season against Cádiz. In the Champions League alone, he has registered an impressive eight contributions in nine matches (G4, A4). On the other side of the pitch, England teammate Harry Kane has been on fire for Bayern, scoring five goals in their last four matches, with three coming from the penalty spot.
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Hot Stat: Former Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti boasts an unbeaten record against his former club, having never lost in nine previous meetings (W6, D3).