Bayern Munich host Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first leg at the Allianz Arena, with both teams searching to add more European silverware to their cabinets, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
The defending champions, who are looking to secure their third successive title, edged into the semi-finals courtesy of a stoppage-time Cristiano Ronaldo penalty against Juventus.
The first leg in Turin was the dream start to the tie for Madrid. They won 3-0 with a double from Ronaldo which included a memorable bicycle kick.
Juve were given little hope of overturning the three-goal deficit heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. Massimiliano Allegri’s team, however, had other ideas scoring two goals in the first half and one in the second. The Italians looked on course to force extra time until the home side were awarded a controversial penalty.
Ronaldo stepped up, fired home the spot kick and sent Madrid into the semi-finals with a 4-3 aggregate win. They will now face a Bayern side who have gotten better after bringing Jupp Heynckes back to manage the side.
The Germans were made to fight, but eventually overcame Sevilla in the quarter-finals. Die Roten came from behind to beat the Spanish outfit 2-1 in Spain before a 0-0 draw in Germany saw them through to the semi-finals.
This is the most common fixture in European football as the two team will battle it out for a record twenty-fifth time and the seventh in a European Cup semi-final.
The teams met in last season’s quarter-finals and it was Madrid, en route to becoming the first club to retain the trophy in the UEFA Champions League era by claiming a 12th European title overall, who came out on top. Zinedine Zidane’s side won 2-1 in Munich and then 4-2 in Madrid after extra time to progress to the last four.
Another titanic battle is expected and the first leg in Munich will play a huge part in who progresses to the final. Zidane’s team would undoubtedly be looking for goals away from home, but it won’t be easy against a good Bayern side.
There have been accusations leveled at this Bayern side, with many suggesting that the squad is getting too old. With Arjen Robben now thirty-four and Frank Ribery now thirty-five, these accusations are not unfounded.
Bayern are also without a key player in midfielder Arturo Vidal, who will miss out after undergoing knee surgery. Heynckes team, however, have a strong European pedigree and a squad filled with top class talent, so it will not be an easy test for this Madrid side.
Los Blancos may have faltered in the league this season, but another strong Champions League campaign could well save their season. The expectations will be to win a thirteenth European trophy and how Zidane’s men step up to this challenge could well determine the Frenchmen’s future.
