European giants Bayern Munich and Real Madrid clash in the Champions League quarter-finals tonight.
The Bavarians welcome reigning European Champions Real Madrid for the first leg tonight at the Allianz Arena before the return fixture at the Bernabeu on April 18.
Carlo Ancelotti will face the La Liga side for the first time since his departure in 2015, with his former assistant – Zinedine Zidane – now the permanent manager.
Ancelotti won the La decima at Real in 2014, before Zidane claimed the trophy last season for the 11-time winners, while Bayern Munich are Europe’s joint third most successful team having been crowned champions on five occasions.
Last time the Bundesliga Champions played Real at the Allianz Arena, they suffered their biggest ever European home loss when they were beaten 4-0 in April 2014, which was also the last time their lost on their own turf in the Champions League.
Real Madrid, alongside Juventus, are the only unbeaten team in this season’s Champions League. Robert Lewandowski who recovered from an injury this weekend has scored in each of his last three Champions League games – he’s never done four in a row in the competition.
Sergio Ramos’ last six goals in the Champions League have all been scored in the knockout stages of the competition, including his headed brace against Bayern at the Allianz Arena in April 2014. If he plays, it will be his 99th game in the competition.
Bayern has won 4 out of their last 5 games with a loss against Hoffenheim. Madrid has won 4 and drawn 1 in their last 5 games. Both teams have met 14 times with Bayern winning 7, Real winning 6 and one ending a draw with 33 goals scored in these games.
Robert Lewandowski has 7 goals in the competition already with French Striker Benzema having 5 goals to his also in the competition.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in both teams last 6 games in Europe.
This is the 23rd European Cup/Champions League fixture between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid – the 17th under the Champions League era – a record in the history of the tournament.
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are perfectly level in their European Cup/Champions League knockout encounters, progressing five times each
