Fixture: Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Tournament: UEFA Champions League – 1/2 Finals – 2017/2018
Date/Time: 22:45 GMT +4 1-th May
Arena: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
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FC Bayern arrived in Madrid on Monday lunchtime. The words chosen by the players and club officials and the steely gaze in their eyes proved that the Bavarians are fully focused and fired up to overturn the 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Tuesday evening’s semi-final return against Real Madrid.
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“Desire can move mountains in football,” a confident Jupp Heynckes said at the press conference: “We’ll be very awkward opponents. My team can surpass themselves in matches like this one.” Bayern have to score at least two away goals to make the final. “It’s a difficult situation, but we trust in our abilities,” said Niklas Süle. Thomas Müller added: “You saw in the first leg we can create chances. We have to hit them where it hurts. We have to be greedy.”
Robben missing, Alaba rated doubtful
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge thinks it is a good omen that the match will be played on 1 May, Labour Day: “We can probably only progress by means of work, courage, passion and lots of fight tomorrow,” declared the FCB chairman. Bayern know what will be decisive, and they aim not to be “intimidated” by the atmosphere at the legendary Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, said David Alaba.
Whether the Austrian can play will be decided after the final training session. Jérôme Boateng, Arjen Robben, Arturo Vidal, Manuel Neuer and Kingsley Coman definitely miss out on Tuesday, but the German record champions refuse to be knocked out of their stride by their lengthy injury roster.
Rummenigge & Co fully trust every man in the squad. No matter who starts, “all the players will fight as if their lives were at stake,” declared the 62-year-old. Bayern yearn to play for the trophy in Kyiv on 26 May: “We’re dreaming of it,” said James. They will do everything to achieve that on Tuesday evening, with full focus and lots of confidence.
