Key absences for Real Madrid in the second leg of the tie vs. Bayern Munich; the team will have to swim against the current if it wants to complete the historic comeback that would take it to the semifinals.
This Wednesday, April 15, Bayern Munich will host Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
The 1-2 achieved by the German team at the Santiago Bernabeu gives them a minimal advantage in a series that remains completely open.
Bayern will try to be strong at home, while Real Madrid will draw on their history to turn the series around; the Spanish team has built its mystique on improbable comebacks and decisive performances throughout the competition.
Injuries and doubts for the match:
Real Madrid: Rodrygo (knee), Thibaut Courtois (thigh), and Aurelien Tchouameni (suspended).
Bayern Munich: Lennart Karl (thigh) and Sven Ulreich (muscle).
Real Madrid’s possible lineup (4-4-2)
GK: Andriy Lunin – A top-class goalkeeper who continues as a replacement for Thibaut Courtois, responds in decisive moments, and provides security under pressure.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Provides offensive projection and precision in crosses, can play a few meters ahead of his position.
CB: Antonio Rüdiger – Possesses leadership on the field for Madrid, has firmness and experience in this type of decisive match.
CB: Dean Huijsen – Provides youth in the back line and good buildup from the defense, with decisive interventions at the back.
LB: Alvaro Carreras – Provides the width Madrid needs to find space and great range down the flank, though he is not known for his effectiveness in retreat and is a weak point he will need to polish for the match.
MF: Federico Valverde – Possesses physical deployment and good shooting from medium distance; in the current competition, he scored a hat trick against Manchester City and also has four assists.
MF: Eduardo Camavinga – Provides energy, good recovery, and clean buildup in midfield; in the Champions League, he was a substitute in both matches against City and the first leg against Bayern.
MF: Jude Bellingham – Has total influence on the game, is effective in arriving at the goal, and has good ball control.
MF: Arda Guler – Is one of the young talents, has creativity in attack and good striking ability, has four goals and eight assists in LaLiga.
FW: Vinicius Jr. – A game-changing attacker for Madrid and a key piece in one-on-one situations.
FW: Kylian Mbappe – Scored the equalizer for the Merengue club, possesses the speed and decisive finishing to turn the tie around; he is the most powerful weapon in Alvaro Arbeloa’s scheme.
Bayern Munich’s possible lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK: Neuer – An absolute reference for the German club, the captain is key in playing with his feet and in decisive saves.
RB: Konrad Laimer – Stands out for his constant intensity on the flank, provides range and high pressure for the continuity of attacks.
CB: Jonathan Tah – The center-back is strong in aerial play and physical duels. Has two goals in the Bundesliga and one in the Champions League.
CB: Dayot Upamecano – Provides power and speed to correct in open space and prevails effectively in one-on-one duels.
LB: Josip Stanisic – Has a more defensive profile compared to Laimer, as he prioritizes team order and defensive retreat.
MF: Aleksandar Pavlovic – Strengthens the midfield dynamics, has great judgment in disputes, and is responsible for the team’s first buildup.
MF: Joshua Kimmich – Is the team’s brain, distributes the ball with precision and sets the tempo of play, also appears as a key piece in creating scoring chances.
RW: Michael Olise – Can unbalance and find spaces that lead to opportunistic attacks, stands out for his one-on-one as his main weapon.
AM: Serge Gnabry – Has constant mobility, arrives in the area as a surprise, and participates in scoring plays; in this Champions League, he has two goals and four assists.
LW: Luis Diaz – Is the one who possesses verticality and generates the change of pace in the final meters. In the Bundesliga, he has five goals and 11 assists in 24 matches.
FW: Harry Kane – The team’s top scorer is the offensive reference and the most effective playmaker. To date, he has 31 goals in the German league and 10 in the Champions League.
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