After winning the first leg 2-1, holders Real Madrid have the edge but will have to be wary of a wounded Bayern Munich side when the two giants clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday and the line-ups for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final have been revealed.
📝💫 #RealMadrid‘s starting XI for tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg against @FCBayernEN!#APorLa13 pic.twitter.com/oqI5fxPPxf
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) May 1, 2018
Zinedine Zidane has dropped underperforming defensive midfielder Casemiro even as he has restored French forward Karim Benzema to the lineup.
DON’T MISS | Gatorade World Cup advert pits mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez against each other
Keylor Navas starts in goal, as Lucas Vazquez surprisingly starts at right-back, with Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo completing the four-man defence.
Marco Asensio, Kovacic, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos feature in midfield while Benzema and star man Cristiano Ronaldo complete the 4-4-2.
Keep calm and believe in these boys! 🔴⚪ #MiaSanMia #PACKMAS #RMAFCB pic.twitter.com/XuBXFhzZky
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) May 1, 2018
Sven Ulreich retains his place in goal, with defenders Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Sule, Mats Hummels and David Alaba in front of him.
Thiago Alcantara partners Corentin Tolisso in the central midfield pivot, while Franck Ribery, James Rodriguez (on loan from Real) and Thomas Muller line up ahead of them.
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski completes the 4-2-3-1 formation for Jupp Heycnkes’ men.
Despite taking the lead via Joshua Kimmich at the Allianz Arena, Bayern allowed Real to come back into the tie as goals from Marcelo and Marco Asensio gave Los Blancos a priceless away win.
The two-time holders and 12-time champions, thus, are in a pretty position and they will be backing themselves on making their third final in a row, especially with Bayern struggling with several injuries.
MUST READ | Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp updates on Adam Lallana’s injury situation
Die Bayern still posses plenty of world-class talents in their squad, but to progress they will have to beat the Spanish giants on their own turf, a task easier said than done, considering Real’s love affair with the continental competition.
Real Madrid: Navas, Vazquez, Ramos (C), Varane, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Asensio, Kovacic, Ronaldo and Benzema.
Bayern Munich: Ulreich, Alaba, Hummels, Sule, Kimmich, Tolisso, Thiago, Ribery, Muller (C), Rodriguez and Lewandowski.
Match kicks off at 20.45 GMT/01.15 IST.