Real Madrid will face Bayern Munich in the semifinals of the Champions League. Here are the details on the match-up and when the fixtures will be played.
The Champions League draw for the semifinals of the 2017-2018 Champions League took place earlier today in Nyon, Switzerland. Real Madrid will take on Bayern Munich in what will be the 25th and 26th meeting between these two teams in the European competition.
💫🏆 We'll face @FCBayern in the Champions League semi-finals!#APorLa13 | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/L260MzkNn6
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 13, 2018
Los Blancos have now made their eight straight semifinals appearance in the Champions League. While this is an incredible feat, there is still a lot of work left to be done. Madrid will look to make this run even more historic as they chase a third consecutive Champions League title and a potential 13th title in total.
Zinedine Zidane has led his side to two Champions League victories in his two years at the club. Making it three titles in three years would be a superb record, one that is unprecedented. Before any of that though, Zidane will need to ensure his side fixes their errors from the Juventus match. That lack of continuity in play shown in the second-leg of the quarterfinals will not see Real through to the finals against a side like Bayern.
Matchday Schedule
Madrid will play the first-leg against Bayern Munich on April 25, 2018, and the second-leg on May 1, 2018. Due to Real Madrid being drawn out of the pot second, they will play the first-leg away and the return leg at home.
- Leg 1 – Munich
- Leg 2 – Madrid
UCL Past and Present
Past
This, of course, is not Madrid’s first time going this far in the Champions League. Many analysts and players laud their experience in the competition as a key reason for their success.
Last year, Real Madrid played against neighbors Atletico Madrid in the semifinals where they claimed victory with a 4-2 aggregate score. During their tenure in the prestigious competition, Real has gone 15-13 at this stage in the competition.
Madrid holds the greatest number of titles at 12 in all. They will be calling upon their experience and mature players to help guide their success in the competition.
Bayern Munich
Since the inception of the Champions League, Real Madrid has met Bayern Munich for a total of 24 times. In those meetings, Real has won 11, lost 11, and drawn twice. Real will be looking to extend that lead further as they aim towards another Champions League Final.
From the turn of the century alone, these teams have faced-off for a total of seven times with Madrid claiming victory on five occasions. The Munich-Madrid match-up is the most played UCL fixture, with Real Madrid-Juventus coming in second.
Los Blancos met Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals last year, winning 6-3 on aggregate. That too was a contentious match with a penalty call and questionable offside. Nonetheless, the stage is set as this fixture is being anointed as the “European Clasico.”
Present
In this year’s Champions League, Real Madrid was put into Group H along with Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund, and Apoel Nicosia. Los Blancos won four games while drawing and losing one match a piece.
They then progressed to the round of 16 drawing Paris Saint-Germain, winning easily 5-2 on aggregate. Madrid won both legs in what was some of their best performances of the season thus far.
After beating the Parisians, Real moved into the quarterfinals facing-off against Juventus. The first-leg was another masterclass performance but the return-leg showed their vulnerability. Madrid continues on to the semi-finals beating Juventus 4-3 on aggregate.
This Season:
- Played – 10
- Won – 7
- Draw – 1
- Loss – 2
- Goals For – 26
- Goals Against – 12
Conclusion
History is there to be made, the pen is in the hands of Real Madrid with the finest paper and the freshest ink. Whether Madrid will illustrate their way to another final or smear the pages is to be seen.
Having a full squad in the back line will be key for Madrid. It was evident the leadership and poise that Sergio Ramos brings to his side drives Madrid. In the front line, it will be interesting to see whom Zidane fields with a wealth of options in Isco, Asensio, Vazquez, and Bale. Ronaldo, on the other hand, will be looking to extend his incredible scoring statistics this campaign.