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Bayern Munich v Real Madrid: Gareth Bale fit for second leg, and ready to take his team to Champions League glory

Bale was on the bench for the first leg but could start after recovering from flu

Agency
Tuesday 29 April 2014 19:23 BST
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Gareth Bale has declared himself fit to face Bayern Munich and ready to fire Real Madrid into the Champions League final.

The Welshman said he felt "good" ahead of the semi-final second-leg clash at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night, which his side will start with a 1-0 advantage.

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Bale only came on 17 minutes from the end of that match after struggling with illness in the build-up and he missed the weekend win over Osasuna, but gave an upbeat assessment of his condition at the pre-match press conference.

"I feel good," he said. "After a couple of workouts I'm recovered and I hope to play.

"We are happy with the situation we are in. We will concentrate on the remaining games and try to win. When you arrive at this club you realise there are expectations.

"We want to win everything we play for and try to win the Champions League."

Madrid are now favourites to lift the trophy after shutting out Pep Guardiola's side in the first meeting, the visitors creating few chances despite dominating possession, but Bale knows the hard work is far from over.

Bayern after all hit five in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

"It will be a very difficult match against Bayern," the former Tottenham player said. "It will be a great battle, a tough, tough game.

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"The match will be tight and there will be little between the teams. We hope to do our job, but it will be a fantastic game and we are 100 per cent ready.

"I prefer to play offensively, but we will have to know how to defend."

Madrid are also set to have Cristiano Ronaldo fully fit for the clash, the Portugal forward having lacked match sharpness in the first meeting as he returned from injury, but Guardiola is banking on one of his superstars to rise to the occasion.

The former Barcelona boss has faith in Franck Ribery, who was criticised for his first-leg display, to deliver when it matters most.

"Franck played like he was possessed at the weekend," Guardiola said. "He fights and fights and for this reason the people love him here at the Allianz Arena.

"He is one of the best players in the history of Bayern Munich and we need his help."

Bayern are only without defender Daniel van Buyten, with the Germans able to rest the likes of Arjen Robben, Philipp Lahm and Mario Gotze at the weekend ahead of their biggest match of the season.

PA

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