(2-1 Agg)
Tuesday night, under the lights, with the world watching, the Santiago Bernabeu will be electric, as the home side tries to defend a one-goal advantage.
Possible Lineups
Real Madrid: Navas; Nacho, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modrić, Kroos, Casemiro; Asensio, Benzema, Ronaldo
Out: Carvajal (hamstring)
Doubtful: Isco (shoulder), Nacho (thigh)
Bayern: Ulrich; Kimmich, Hummels, Süle, Alaba; Martínez, Thiago, James, Müller, Ribéry; Lewandowski
Out: Neuer (metatarsal), Boateng (hamstring), Vidal (knee), Robben (adductor), Coman (ankle)
Doubtful: Alaba (thigh)
One thing in question Tuesday night will be where the moral of Bayern Munich lies after losing the first leg at home. Not only did the defeat hurt, but the fashion in which it happened is what stings the hearts of the Germans. The gameplan they exhibited was perfect, and they dominated 58% of the possession while having 13 goal attempts to Madrid’s 7. The ability of Real Madrid to absorb pressure and play out from the back, gave them the upper hand when Bayern made mistakes and left them on their backfoot trying to stop the counter.
Spanish opposition has been the nemesis to Bayern as of late, knocking them out of this tournament on the last five occasions, most recently in last years quarterfinals, falling to Los Merengues once again. The home side will be looking to make their 3rd straight final appearance while defeating the Germans for a 6th straight time in this tournament.
The Pick
In their last 6 encounters in the Champions League vs Bayern, Madrid has been able to score 16 goals. They have scored at least two goals, in five of the six matches, and netted four, twice! It’s fair to say the visitors will need a miracle to overturn the first leg disaster. Eight, of the last nine teams in Semi-Finals to win the away leg, have also gone onto qualify for the final. Ronaldo has scored 15 goals in this year’s Champions League and needs two more to break the record of 17, also his from the 2013/2014 tournament.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OiicONyfCM
The need for Bayern to press up will leave them exposed and vulnerable in many moments throughout this match. Madrid will capitalize and put this game to sleep.
“The key for us – and what we have to do – is to think about winning the game and go onto the pitch wanting to do that. We need to go out to score quickly, and that’s what we’ll try to do.” – Zinédine Zidane, Real Madrid coach
Real Madrid Pick -145 2X
Real Madrid Team Total over 1.5 2X
Ronaldo Robert Lewandowski score first -110
Match Result and Both Teams to Score: Madrid/ Yes +210
Both teams to score
Ronaldo scores a goal 2X
Ronaldo scores 2+ goals +250
Lewandowski scores a goal
Ronaldo anytime score and 3-1 correct score +1600 (graded separately)
Total Bookings Over 5
