The Spanish giants, disappointed with last season, let Ancelotti leave to coach Brazil’s national team. His successor, Xabi Alonso, lasted only six months before resigning after losing to Barcelona in the Super Cup. Arbeloa, who replaced him, started with an exit from the Copa del Rey and missed the chance to overtake Barcelona in La Liga—with another setback in the latest round.
Meanwhile, the visitors from Munich have been gaining momentum: after reclaiming the “silver salad bowl” last season, they have now effectively “defended it,” adding the Supercup in the summer. Domestically, only the cup remains, with a semifinal against Bayer coming up.
In the Champions League, Mbappé and company did not look particularly convincing in the group stage, losing three times, including to Benfica in the last round. As a result, they had to face Benfica again in February. This time, however, they beat the Portuguese side twice, then got past Manchester City in both legs.
The Germans stumbled only once, away at Arsenal. They won all other matches. Atalanta posed no problem in the round of 16, suffering a 6-1 defeat in Bergamo. Not stopping there, Bayern also won big at home, 4-1.
Previous Matches: Real Madrid vs Bayern
In the last two Champions League meetings, in 2018 and 2024, the Spanish side won one match and drew the other.
The visitors are expectedly considered the favorites in this tie. However, for now, we opt for a neutral “total over 3.0 goals” (odds – 1.77).
Real Madrid vs Bayern: Key Statistics and Trends
Real Madrid have won all of their last four Champions League matches
The team averages 2.42 goals scored and 1.17 goals conceded per game
Bayern have won every match in the tournament except one
The club averages 3.2 goals scored and 1.0 goals conceded per game
Real Madrid vs Bayern: Probable Starting Line-ups
Real Madrid are expected to play a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible line-up): Lunin – Carvajal, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Fran García – Valverde, Tchouaméni – Brahim, Camavinga, Vinicius – Mbappé. Courtois, Mendy, and Rodrygo will not play.
Bayern are also expected to use a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible line-up): Neuer – Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, Laimer – Kimmich, Pavlovic – Olise, Musiala, Dias – Kane. Ulreich and Davies are both out.
