Bayern knock out Real Madrid in one of great European ties

Hello and welcome to our coverage of this Champions League quarter-final second-leg game between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena.

When Harry Kane doubled Bayern’s lead within 20 seconds of the second half in last week’s first leg in Spain, Real looked on the verge of collapse. Luiz Diaz had already handed Vincent Kompany’s side the advantage with a composed 41st-minute finish, before Kane swept in Bayern’s second. 

The Santiago Bernabeu became a cauldron of despair and anxiety. Still, Real, inspired by Jude Bellingham’s introduction from the bench, rallied as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior both came close to scoring. Trent Alexander-Arnold eventually set up Mbappe with a brilliant cross, and the French forward tapped in from close range to halve the deficit, leaving the tie delicately balanced. 

Unsurprisingly, Bayern are cruising to the Bundesliga title. They smashed St Pauli 5-0 at the weekend, extending their unbeaten league run to ten matches, while also breaking the record for the most Bundesliga goals scored in a single season. Jamal Musiala’s early header was Bayern’s 101st league goal, equalling the record they set in the 1971/72 campaign. The full-time result ensured that the German powerhouse have now scored 105 goals in 29 Bundesliga games this season.

Bayern’s overwhelming domestic superiority meant that Kane and Aleksander Pavlovic were unused substitutes against St Pauli. Other key players such as Diaz, Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich, Josip Stanisic, and Jonathan Tah all either started on the bench or were withdrawn in the second half. Serge Gnabry missed the match but is ready to return. The free-scoring Germans are well rested and overflowing with confidence, and look like serious contenders for this season’s Champions League.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s stuttering domestic campaign was dealt another blow at the weekend as Alvaro Arbeloa’s men drew 1-1 against Girona in LaLiga at the Bernabeu. Federico Valverde powered Real into a 51st-minute lead, before Thomas Lemar netted an equaliser. Barcelona’s commanding 4-1 victory over Espanyol meant that the Catalans extended their LaLiga advantage to nine points. With just eight league fixtures remaining, Real have seemingly allowed the title to escape their grasp.

Only a Champions League trophy can rescue what has been a hugely disappointing season for the Spanish giants. However, they’ll need a win in Germany over Bayern to have any chance of progressing into the semi-finals. 

Kick-off is at 20:00, with team news to follow shortly.