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Bayern Munich v Real Madrid: Champions League match preview

A look ahead to Tuesday's semi-final second leg in Munich

Micah Price
Tuesday 29 April 2014 19:16 BST
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Gareth Bale will return to the starting line-up for Real Madrid's most important game of the season as they seek to reach their first Champions League final in 12 years.

The world's most expensive player missed Saturday's 4-0 victory against Osasuna with flu, but manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the Welshman is now fully-fit.

Real have won their last four matches, scoring 11 in the process and conceding just once.

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In contrast, Bayern are enduring their worst run of form this season, despite thrashing Werder Bremen 5-2 at the weekend.

Pep Guardiola's side have lost three out of their last six games; losing to Real, Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg this month.

After being rested at the weekend, their key trio of Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos and Arjen Robben will inevitably return to the starting line-up as Pep Guardiola aims to win his third Champions League title.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Real Madrid 1 (Benzema) Bayern Munich 0, Champions League, semi-finals, April 2014

Real Madrid 2 (Ronaldo 2) Bayern Munich 1 (Robben), Champions League, semi-finals, April 2012 (Bayern win 3-1 on penalties)

Bayern Munich 2 (Ribery, Gomez) Real Madrid 1 (Ozil), Champions League, semi-finals, April 2012

STATS…

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Sergio Ramos all missed penalties in the shootout defeat to Bayern in 2012.

Madrid could be eliminated by German opposition for the third successive time in the semi-finals.

Ancelotti has never lost when managing against The Bavarians. In seven matches his side have won five and drawn two.

Bayern are aiming to become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League.

AC Milan (1995) and Juventus (1997) were losing finalists the season after winning European club football's biggest prize.

ODDS…

Bayern Munich to win 1.72

Real Madrid to win 4.75

Draw 3.8

CLASSIC MATCH...

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice inside 14 minutes to put Real ahead of Bayern in their semi-final second leg in 2012, but Robben's first-half penalty sent the tie into extra time, with the German giants winning on penalties at the Bernabeu.

Jupp Heynckes' team lost the final to winners Chelsea in Munich, also on spot-kicks.

TV: Live on ITV 1 at 7.45pm, highlights on ITV 1 at 10.35pm. ​​

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