Real Madrid and Bayern München renew their classic rivalry in Madrid on 7 April, with a UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg under the lights and Michael Oliver in charge.
In the league phase, Bayern arrive as the form side: 2nd with 21 points from 8 games (7W-0D-1L), scoring 22 and conceding 8. Real Madrid sit 9th with 15 points from their 8 matches (5W-0D-3L), hitting 21 and letting in 12. At home in the league phase, Madrid were strong (3 wins from 4), but Bayern’s away record is equally impressive (3 wins from 4).
Recent Champions League meetings favour Madrid: across the last four competitive clashes, they are unbeaten (2 wins, 2 draws), including last season’s semi-final where they drew 2-2 in München before a 2-1 victory at the Bernabéu. The 2019 International Champions Cup encounter is a friendly outlier.
Team News
Team news is significant: Real Madrid are without T. Courtois, F. Mendy and Rodrygo, with D. Ceballos doubtful. Bayern miss C. Kiala, W. Mike, B. Ndiaye and S. Ulreich.
Star Power
Star power is immense. Kylian Mbappé has 13 goals in 9 Champions League appearances this season, with Vinícius Júnior adding 5 goals and 4 assists in 12 games. Harry Kane counters with 10 goals in 9 outings for Bayern.
With Bayern’s relentless attack (32 goals in 10 Champions League matches) and Madrid’s perfect blend of Mbappé and Vinícius, this first leg looks set to be open and high scoring, with Bayern’s current form giving them a slight edge despite Madrid’s formidable Bernabéu pedigree.
