It’s five years since Robert Lewandowski propelled himself into the global consciousness by scoring four goals in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid.
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The first leg of their semi-final against Bayern Munich last week typified that most of all; despite a backs-to-the-wall display at the Allianz Arena, which saw them go a goal down, they recovered to score two away goals and take the tie by the scruff of the neck.
“We hope that we can beat them again in the final”, Kimmich said.
The 41-year old FIFA Elite referee has issued 11 straight red cards in all European club competitions and has awarded 23 penalties and issued 11 straight red cards in European club competition. The team suffered one defeat in previous nine matches in all competitions (real Madrid) and a draw.
“We need everyone”, Zidane said. “They are not invincible despite what many people may think”.
Last week’s result means that Bayern have lost their last six meetings against Madrid, with the Bundesliga side’s honourary president Franz Beckenbauer anxious that maybe his club now have a “complex” against the Spanish giants.
It is certainly possible that if Real Madrid win their third straight Champions League title this season, the feat will not be repeated for at least another 50 years. He’s very much a winger rather than a full-back, but Zidane has little alternative and therefore we’re likely to see Vazquez starting on the right of defence, up against Franck Ribery. But the season before was probably as straightforward a run as any side has had in the Champions League era: Roma, Wolfsburg, a supine Manchester City and Atletico.
A mainstay for Bayern now, James has appeared in each of Die Roten’s Champions League games, while also making 21 appearances in Bundesliga. “Nacho has been out for a month, but has trained a lot”. Many of Bayern Munich’s players must step up their game on Tuesday, but there are specific players that viewers should be giving special attention to.
Bayern need “cool heads and hot hearts” if they are to learn from Juventus and pull off an unlikely Champions League victory at Real, says chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. We are prepared and have great determination. We know that it will be hard but at the same time, Juve showed that Real Madrid can be vulnerable at home.
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Bayern Munich will have left-back David Alaba and midfielder Javi Martinez back from injury for the clash.
