Bayern Munich are set to kickoff the next stage of their UEFA champions league fixture schedule as they host Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night for the first-leg of their semifinal tie.
The German machines will head into the match with a nerve of uneasiness running through their veins. Though they have won seven of their last eight champions league matches, their poor form in their quarterfinal tie against Sevilla really exposed the weakness in their starting lineup. The lack of wingers to replace the ageing Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery has made the Bundesliga giants a distant shadow of the destructive force they used to be.
Though they have also had a shaky season, Real Madrid will hope to capitalize on the attacking strength that has drowned all their enemies in their third consecutive race to the final. The defending champions have won four and lost one of their last five matches. The lethal form of the five time world best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, might turn out to be the only ingredient required to break the back-line of the German league leaders.
Injuries:
Bayern Munich: Vidal (knee), Coman (ankle), Neuer (foot), Tolisso (shin)
Real Madrid: Nacho (muscular)
Possible Lineup:
Bayern Munich: Ulreich; Kimmich, Hummels, Boateng, Alaba; MartÃnez, Thiago; James, Müller, Ribéry; Lewandowski
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modrić, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo
Photo Credit: Getty
