Bayern Munich v Real Madrid team news
Manger quotes, player quotes, team news and prediction ahead of the Champions league clash between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Bayern Munich v Real Madrid team news.
What the managers are saying:
Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola – “To me it makes no difference whether Real have Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale available. I can’t imagine Real’s approach will be all about defending their result. Real have quick players which makes them very dangerous opponents.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti – “Our intention is to score because that’s the quality we have, but it is not impossible to qualify without scoring.”
What the players are saying:
Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben – “It is clear they will have lots of confidence because of the result in Madrid, but they know it won’t be easy here. We won’t be giving anything away tomorrow. Of course they won’t be worried, but they also know it won’t be easy. The Arena in Munich will be on fire. We will give everything. We need our fans and the support. All 11 players on the pitch and seven on the bench will give everything and we have lots of confidence. We are all motivated enough. We are still hungry and we know we can write history with this team, so we are as motivated as they are. The two teams have great aims.”
Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale – ‘We are confident. We have played very well and we don’t doubt ourselves. There is a lot of expectations at this club. You always have to win. We won the Cup and now we want the Champions League.’
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid team news:
Bayern will be without Holger Badstuber (knee), Xherdan Shaqiri (thigh) while Thiago Alcantara has resumed training. Defender Rafinha is available after missing the weekend win over Bremen.
Real are set to welcome back Gareth Bale to the squad. The former Spurs attacker missed the weekend win over Osasuna through illness but is fit to take his place in the squad and should start up front. The return of Bale means Alvaro Arbeloa, Jese Rodriguez and Sami Khedira (all knee) are Real’s only absentees for the game.
Form: Bayern have lost twice in this year’s comp going down 3-2 at home to Manchester City in the group stages and losing to Real last time out. The last time out they beat Manchester United 3-1 at home, their first win in three home games after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the previous round. Prior to the set-back with City they had won four on the trot scoring 14 and conceding none.
Real meanwhile have lost once this season with the defeat coming on German soil in the last round against Borussia Dortmund. On that occasion the club went down 2-0 but a 3-0 success in the first leg ensured their progress. The defeat to Dortmund coupled with a draw away to Juventus are the only setbacks for a Real team that has won 9 of their 11 games so far.
This game is going to be another tight affair with Bayern possession game up against Real’s counter-attacking football built on a strong defence. This game has extra time written all over. Bayern to win on the night but won’t progress.
