Bayern vs Real Madrid Champions League semi-final first leg preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, expected line-ups
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
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When is it? How can you watch it? What are the predicted line-ups? All you need to know about the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Bayern München and Real Madrid.
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Bayern and Real Madrid meet in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday 30 April.
Bayern vs Real Madrid at a glance
When: Tuesday 30 April (21:00 CET kick-off)
Where: Fußball Arena München, Munich
What: UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg
How to follow: Build-up and live coverage can be found here
Where to watch Bayern vs Real Madrid on TV
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
What do you need to know?
Bayern are through to their 21st European Cup/Champions League semi-final with this the 13th of those in the Champions League era. Only one team can better those numbers – Real Madrid. The Spanish outfit have made this stage for a record 33rd time with their 17th Champions League last-four appearance also unrivalled.
It is perhaps unsurprising then that these teams will contest an eighth Champions League/European Cup semi-final – five more than any other pairing in the competition's history. Both teams can take some comfort from those previous encounters with Madrid undefeated in their last seven matches (W6 D1), all of which came in the Champions League knockout phase, while Bayern have been successful in four of the previous seven last-four ties.
Both clubs have an enduring reputation for playing entertaining, free-scoring football but the current season has seen each display their resilient side just as much. Thomas Tuchel's Bayern had to dig deep to turn around their round of 16 tie at home to Lazio then edged out Arsenal in Munich after holding the Gunners at bay in the first leg.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid had to fend off a spirited response from Leipzig to reach the last eight, where they withstood waves of Manchester City pressure in the return before holding their nerve in a penalty shoot-out to eliminate the holders. Which side can summon such spirit again over these two matches to reach the showpiece at Wembley Stadium?
Predicted line-ups
Bayern: Neuer; Kimmich, Kim, Dier, Mazraoui; Goretzka, Pavlović; Sané, Musiala, Guerreiro; Kane
Suspended: none
Real Madrid: Lunin; Vázquez, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga, Bellingham; Vinícius, Rodrygo
Suspended: Carvajal
Form guide
Bayern
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWWWDL
Most recent result: Bayern 2-1 Frankfurt, 27/04, German Bundesliga
Real Madrid
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWDWDW
Most recent result: Real Sociedad 0-1 Real Madrid, 26/04, Spanish La Liga
Expert predictions
James Thorogood, Bayern reporter
Success is a wonderful tonic during testing times. Bayern fans who might have previously written off a difficult campaign are now chanting about winning the Champions League on the back of four straight wins. With belief and hunger replenished, the next ten days will define the Bavarians' season and the short legacy Tuchel will leave behind when he departs in the summer.
Graham Hunter, Real Madrid reporter
An epic journey to get here so why not an epic semi-final to follow? Madrid arrive in Bavaria with everything rosy in their garden, bar the suspension of the influential Dani Carvajal. Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, who have accrued 86 goals or assists in all competitions between this season, have been rested. But given Bayern's recent attacking productivity, might Éder Militão's return from injury ultimately tip the balance?
What the coaches say
Thomas Tuchel, Bayern coach: "The two games feel like finals, and my approach will be like setting up for a final. So much can happen. We will give everything in these 90 minutes to win this game. We need an absolute top atmosphere and maximum support to get through phases in which we suffer. We have to work with the spectators to create an atmosphere that gives us a small advantage."
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach: "We are up against an opponent that has weapons, quality, strength. We have to defend well and avoid counterattacks. We must play a complete game. We are very happy to be here; I think very few thought we would have be. The goal is to play another match after this tie too."
Where is the 2024 Champions League final?
The best of the best will be crowned on the ultimate stage when the 2023/24 Champions League season concludes at London's prestigious Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 June.
The winners gain a place in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage, if they have not qualified via their domestic competition.