European giants set for blockbuster clash Lewandowski doubtful for tonight’s match
Real Madrid will rely on famed ‘BBC’ trio to unlock Bayern defence in a muchawaited quarterfinal battle
Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to rekindle some of the magic they once served up under Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday when they face their old coach in the latest edition of Real Madrid’s rivalry with Bayern Munich.
Real’s ‘BBC’ trident enjoyed one of their most productive nights under Ancelotti the last time they were in the Allianz Arena, running riot in a 4-0 win.
The expensively assembled trio have frequently been blamed by the Spanish media for Real’s unconvincing attacking displays this season.
The spotlight will be on the outof-form trio in Wednesday’s quarter-final first leg in Germany as Real resume their bid to become the first team in the Champions League era to retain the trophy.
Bale, albeit while missed three months of action through injury, has endured his worst season since joining Real with nine goals in all competitions, while Ronaldo, with 19 in the league, is on course for his worst domestic tally since 2010.
Benzema, meanwhile, has also been far less prolific in domestic matches this year but is the team’s top scorer in the Champions League with five goals.
There will be extra pressure on the forwards because of the absence from the Real defence of the injured Pepe and Raphael Varane, while Bayern will be missing defender Mats Hummels with an ankle problem.
Bayern’s top scorer Robert Lewandowski should be able to start, despite being forced off with a shoulder injury towards the end of the 4-1 win over Dortmund on Saturday.
Games between the clubs have thrown up plenty of violent scenes in the past, from Bayern goalkeeper Sepp Maier breaking Roberto Martinez’s nose in 1976 to Juanito stamping on Lothar Matthaus’s head in 1987.
Bayern’s Arjen Robben thought there would be no hard feelings left over from the thumping his side suffered in 2014. “Not at all, it is part of the past and not important anymore, we are only interested in the future,” he said..
Star striker Robert Lewandowski is a doubt for Bayern Munich’s Champions League quarterfinal clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday after he only trained for 20 minutes because of a bruised shoulder.
Lewandowski has scored 38 goals this season, including seven in the Champions League, and is crucial to Bayern’s chances in the first leg at the Allianz Arena.
He injured his right shoulder on Saturday when he netted twice in Bayern’s 4-1 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund.
Lewandowski said afterwards he was confident of facing Real, but his struggles in training on the eve of the match suggest he faces a battle to be ready.
“He trained today only for 20 minutes because he had a problem in his last game. He felt good, but we’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” coach Carlo Ancelotti told a press conference on Tuesday. “If he has no pain he will play, if he has pain, he won’t play.”
Ancelotti refused to be pressed when asked what the chances are of Lewandowski facing a Real side led by their superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
If the Polish predator drops out his forward place is likely to go to Thomas Mueller, who netted twice in the 6-0 drubbing of Augsburg a fortnight ago but has missed the last two games with an ankle injury and has struggled for form this season.
Real coach Zinedine Zidane assumes Lewandowski will play.
“We are preparing to face him. If he doesn’t play Bayern have other players in other positions and I’m sure whoever replaces him will play well,” said Zidane.
Real’s Toni Kroos hopes Lewandowski is fit to play. “To be honest, I’d be happy if he plays,” said the attacking midfielder.
LEICESTER READY FOR ATLETICO CHALLENGE
Leicester City have shown a remarkable ability to defy odds but face their sternest test yet in the Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid, the team they have replaced as European football’s most fashionable underdogs.
Before Leicester enchanted the sporting world last year with their miraculous EPL title win Atletico had worked similar wonders in 2014 by breaking the strangehold of Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga.
Now the two sides who have punched delightfully above their weight meet in Madrid on Wednesday — but it is Leicester who remain the European novi ces while Atletico have grown into true continental heavy weights under Diego Simeone.