Football. Champions League: Real dreams of a feat in Munich in this great European classic

At the heart of a season marked by the dismissal of coach Xabi Alonso and a promised La Liga title for Barcelona, Real Madrid has only the Champions League, its prestigious competition won 15 times to save face. After losing in the first leg (2-1), the Spanish club will have to raise its game level this Wednesday (9 p.m.) on Bayern’s turf to advance to the semi-finals.

In case of elimination, Real risks finishing without a national title or a Champions League victory for the second consecutive season, a feat not seen since 2005/06. Back then, president Florentino Perez resigned, acknowledging the failure of his Galacticos project. Despite a shaky start in the group stage, the Merengues regained their form against Manchester City in the round of 16, but now find themselves on the edge.

The Bayern Munich steamroller “If there is a team capable of winning in Munich, it is Real Madrid. Those who don’t believe can stay here,” said coach Alvaro Arbeloa after the loss. President Florentino Perez echoed, “Here, no one will give up.” The result and dynamics of the first leg offer hope, as Real showed they remain a threat with offensive players like Vinicius Junior and Mbappe.

The Bayern victory at Bernabeu, thanks largely to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, presents a slender advantage according to the Munich captain. The second leg will be the 30th encounter between the giants in the Champions League, with Bayern eliminated only once (out of 31) after winning the away leg (against Inter in 2011).

Russian Roulette Awaits The Bavarian club is engaged in three competitions this season, with a national title in sight and a dominant presence both domestically and continentally. The caution against excessive euphoria is emphasized by former player Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and sports director Max Eberl, as Bayern seeks to overturn their recent Champions League exits against Real.

The last time Bayern qualified in this European football classic dates back to 2012, facing a formidable opponent awaiting them on Wednesday.