Double defending champions Real Madrid travel to Bayern Munich for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Allianz Arena and the lineups for Wednesday’s clash have been revealed.
#MiaSanMia #FCBRMA pic.twitter.com/JtWVezT3vc
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) April 25, 2018
Sven Ulreich starts in goal, with a four-man defence of Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Rafinha in front of him.
Javi Martinez is the midfield enforcer for the hosts, as the likes of Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, James Rodriguez (on loan from Real) and Franck RIbery line up ahead while Polish forward Robert Lewandowski completes the 4-1-4-1 formation.
📝 Tonight’s starting XI in Munich! #APorLa13 pic.twitter.com/uTmyHamYqK
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) April 25, 2018
Zinedine Zidane has opted for a surprise package up top, benching Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale in favour of Lucas Vazquez and star man Cristiano Ronaldo.
Isco slots in just behind the front two, while Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric complete the midfield.
Defenders Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal start ahead of custodian Keylor Navas.
Los Blancos, chasing their 13th continental title, are slight favourites to progress to the final, but with the first leg taking place in Munich, Die Bayern might just spring a surprise.
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Jupp Heynckes’ men have already wrapped up the Bundesliga title and are in the final of the German cup as well and thus, remain on course for a treble.
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For Real, the Champions League is their sole chance of lifting a major trophy this season and with their unmatched pedigree in the continental competition, they will look to take a lead back to Madrid.
Bayern Munich: Ulrich, Kimmich, Hummels, Boateng (C), Rafinha, Martinez, Robben, Muller, Rodriguez, Ribera and Lewandowski
Real Madrid: Navas, Marcelo, Varane, Ramos (C), Carvajal, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Ronaldo and Vazquez.
Match kicks off at 20.45 GMT/00.15 IST.