Jupp Heynckes will recall Mario Gomez, Franck Ribery, Philipp Lahm and probably Toni Kroos to the starting lineup after all 4 did not start the draw with Mainz at the weekend. Of those players, only Lahm did not feature at all, but all 4 should be fresh for this game.
Bastian Schweinsteiger is back to fitness, and played 90 minutes on Saturday, but it is likely that Luis Gustavo and Toni Kroos will start as the anchors to Bayern's midfield, as they have done in recent weeks.
Boateng, Muller, Alaba, Gustavo and Kroos are all one yellow card away from picking up a suspension and missing the second leg.
Xabi Alonso missed the win over Gijon at the weekend due to domestic suspension, but will return to the team for this game.
Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria were both introduced at half time at the weekend, and should return to the starting lineup here.
Kaka has been on good form recently and could well be involved. He sat out the Gijon match, but it is not clear whether that was with a view to have him fresh for this game or just because he was not needed.
None of Mourinho's players are in danger of inducing a suspension due to their yellow card tally.
Prediction
While watching Barcelona is always a spectacle in itself, many people feel that this will be the more exciting of the semi-finals. Both sides have scored goals for fun this season - on countless occasions each have scored more than 5 goals in a game. It will be interesting to see whether both sides approach this game with caution or play to their strengths and attack the opposition.
For all their goalscoring exploits this season, Bayern have recently been somewhat lacklustre in front of goal, having failed to score in their last 2 games. However, before that, they went on a nine game winning streak and have bags of potential to score a few goals, whoever the opposition. Furthermore, it will be an even more significant occasion for Bayern manager, Jupp Heynckes, who lead Real Madrid to the 1998 Champions League title, and he will do everything he can to get his side back to their potent best.
Real, meanwhile, have only failed to score once since mid-September, and have not lost since the Clasico against Barcelona, 21 games ago. They have won 17 and drawn 3 of their last 20 away games, so will be confident of scoring an important away goal and getting yet another positive result. They have scored 33 goals in their 10 Champions League games this season, and with Ronaldo et all firing on all cylinders, should get the goal that gives them the advantage for the return leg in Spain.
This is a deep-seated rivalry, and quite possibly the biggest one in Europe between two sides from different countries. They have not met competitively since 2007, when Bayern progressed on away goals. The second leg, at the Allianz Arena, became a tempestuous affair, with Mark van Bommel and Mahamadou Diarra both sent off in the final 10 minutes. Both teams will have vastly different personnel on the pitch this time around, but the rivalry will definitely remain, and this, along with the occasion of a Champions League semi-final could make for another feisty encounter. The teams could cancel each other out in this first leg, leaving things open for the return match at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrids team is better, the teamplay is much more better, the coach too. Bayern lost against Borussia Dortmund without a chance cant shot a goal against Mainz! I think real win his without problems and with cleen sheet.
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wawa
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See all 9 commentsmarcelo son of a bitch..
Defensively Bayern is a better team. Offensively Real is a better team
2-1 Bayern
barcolona 2-0
Bavaria will win 2-1 !!!!
Bayern Munchen 2:0 Real Madrid
Real Madrids team is better, the teamplay is much more better, the coach too. Bayern lost against Borussia Dortmund without a chance cant shot a goal against Mainz! I think real win his without problems and with cleen sheet.
Bayern is starting with Schweini - Luiz Gustavo midfield and Kroos as CAM behind the striker. Mueller is going to the bench.
Real Madrid is strong enough to handle Bayern,even at Allianz Arena