‘BBC’ out to make amends
Bale, Benzema, Cristiano meet excoach Ancelotti in Germany tonight
Madrid – Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to rekindle some of the magic they once served up under Carlo Ancelotti tonight 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 to inflict the heaviest ever defeat on a side coached by Pep Guardiola.
The expensively assembled trio have frequently been blamed by the Spanish media for Real’s unconvincing attacking displays this season. However, the team is now relying on its other parts, not least defender Sergio Ramos, for goals.
The spotlight will be on the out-of-form trio in tonight’s quarterfinal 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 to only two each from his Portuguese and Welsh teammates.
There will be extra pressure on the forwards because of the absence from the Real defence of 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 in the 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Bayern’s Arjen Robben, however, thought there would be no residual hard feelings left over from the thumping his side suffered in 2014.
“It is part of the past and not important anymore, we are only interested in the future,” the former Real Madrid winger told reporters. –
It’s part of the past (4-0 loss to Real) and not important. Arjen Robben BAYERN MUNICH STAR PLAYER