Bayern vs. Real Madrid: Los Blancos’ Comeback Dream Faces Stern Test in Munich

Real Madrid Face Massive Task Against Rampant Reds

Real Madrid head to Germany with their Champions League semi-final hopes hanging in the balance, trailing Bayern Munich 2-1 from the first leg. Los Blancos are no strangers to high-pressure UCL nights, but the Bavarians ’ formidable home record is tough to overlook.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side have endured a torrid return from the March international break, which began with a 2-1 defeat to Mallorca before losing the first leg of this tie, in which Harry Kane and Luis Diaz fired Die Roten into the driver’s seat and confirmed our Champions League predictions. 

Just 72 hours later, Los Merengues were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Girona at home, leaving them on the cusp of a second season without silverware, having lost to Blaugrana in the Spanish Super Cup and suffered a shock exit from the Copa del Rey against second-tier Albacete. 

Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany’s team smashed five unanswered goals past St. Pauli at the weekend and are now 12 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga standings. They have also scored 105 league goals to date - a new record in a single German top-flight campaign. 

The Bavarians’ victory in Madrid last week ended their nine-game winless run against Real in the UCL (D2 L7). They are now on a five-match win streak and are unbeaten in their last 15 across all competitions (W13 D2), dating back to January 24 against Augsburg. 

Bayern vs. Real Madrid: Last Five Results 

Bayern Munich:

Real Madrid:

See our Bayern vs Real Madrid prediction

Real Madrid’s Chances of Securing Comeback in Munich

Looking through the history books, there are mixed signals around how tonight’s blockbuster may pan out. Indeed, the hosts are the favourites to progress, as explained in our Bayern vs Real Madrid prediction, but there are a few reasons that the visitors can still have hope off pulling off a comeback. 

As mentioned earlier, Bayern’s victory last week was their first against Real Madrid in 10 attempts in the UCL. Only once prior to this have the German giants defeated the Spanish powerhouse in both legs of Europe’s top-tier club competition (2000-01). 

Additionally, Los Galacticos have avoided defeat in each of their last four trips to the Allianz, winning three and drawing one. Since 2013-14, no team has racked up more wins than Madrid against Bayern on their home turf across any competition. 

However, there is one massive stat that is firmly against Arbeloa’s side pulling off a comeback tonight - Only seven teams have ever managed to win a knockout tie after losing the first leg at home in the history of the UEFA Champions League!  

Check out our UCL predictions

Mbappe vs. Kane: Battle of Europe’s Top Marksmen

If Real Madrid are to find a way to turn the tie in Munich tonight, Kylian Mbappe will likely be at the forefront of the comeback. He leads the Golden Boot race and took his goals tally in this season’s UCL to 14 last week in Madrid, nine of which have come in away games. 

The Frenchman could become the first player to register 10+ away goals in a single Champions League season if he manages to find the back of the net tonight, and he currently trails Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time single-season UCL record of 17 goals by just three. 

However, Bayern have a lethal weapon of their own in the form of Harry Kane. The English skipper is having the season of his life, now on 49 goals in all competitions, 10 more than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues. Notably, Mbappe is second on that list with 39. 

Kane has recorded 30 goals in 35 UCL games for Die Roten, including 11 this term. He has scored in each of his last four appearances in this competition and has directly contributed to a goal (scored 2, assisted 2) in four consecutive encounters against Madrid in Europe’s elite club competition. 

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