The absolute record holder in Europe, Real will host Bayern tonight at their "Santiago Bernabeu" in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the elite club competition.
This will be a repeat of the semi-final from two seasons ago, when the "Kings" advanced with a 4:3 aggregate score, and then won their 15th European Championship title.
Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the round of 16, although they were practically "decimated" in both matches.
"I want to see Real Madrid, which has always responded to the biggest challenges against big rivals, like the one that awaits us tomorrow. Bayern Munich are having an exceptional season at all levels of the game. Judging by the results, they are probably the most consistent team in Europe this season. We know what kind of challenge awaits us and what kind of history we have with Bayern, which is always special for us. The Bernabeu will experience another great Champions League night, like against Manchester City, and I am sure that it will happen again tomorrow," said Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa in the match preview.
The Spanish expert points out that no one is thinking about elimination, but that everyone believes in progress.
"We are not thinking about not going through. I understand that all scenarios have to be considered, but for us there is only one - to beat Bayern and advance. That is the only thing we are focused on, the only thing we believe in and the only thing we want," says Arbeloa.
Teamwork brings results, not individual quality.
"I have said many times that to win in football, it is not enough to do one thing well - you need to do many things well in all phases of the game, both with and without the ball. You have to be a complete team, take care of every detail, including the breaks, to be great. You need great cohesion and, above all, a collective mentality, which is what I insist on most in the players. Individually, we have some of the best in the world, but we also have to be capable of being the best team in the world. Talent is important because it makes the difference, but it has to be at the service of the team," said the Real Madrid coach.
The "Galactikos" were unexpectedly defeated by Mallorca last weekend, and journalists were interested in what the Real Madrid locker room looked like after such a defeat.
"It's a dressing room like any other after a defeat. Maybe it hurts more, because if there's a club where defeat is not acceptable, it's Real Madrid. A lot of players were affected. I came in for five seconds to tell them that we don't have time to dwell on it - there will be time - but that the focus must be on tomorrow's game. Since the end of the match with Mallorca, we've only been thinking about winning. All the focus, energy and effort is directed towards the game against Bayern, which is at a high level," Alvaro explained.
Bayern is a goal machine, they play total football.
"These are different games and circumstances. The players know exactly what awaits them, I don't have to warn them specifically. We have analysed Bayern and what they do on the pitch. We have to be ready to respond to that and implement our plan. The quarter-final is against a rival with whom we have a great history, in front of a full Bernabeu – I think we are all aware of that," concluded Arbeloa.
The Bernabeu has only been won three times this season.
"The most important thing is definitely the connection between the players and the fans, because that always changes the dynamics of home games, especially in the Champions League. We have to be ready, because we are coming against a quality team that has lost very few matches this season. However, we are ready, we have a lot of experience in these kinds of games and we hope to play well," says Vinicius Junior, who reflected on the defeat against Mallorca:
"There are ups and downs – sometimes we are more connected, sometimes less. That was evident against Mallorca, when we came back after the international break and we were not at the level we were before. That has a big impact, because today, if you are not at 200 percent, you cannot win. I hope that tomorrow will be one of those days when we are at our maximum, because we have an important game ahead of us," the fast-footed Brazilian pointed out.
Bayern's top scorer, Harry Kane, is questionable.
"It changes things because he scores a lot of goals. He's their striker, but they have a great team with a lot of players changing positions, which can be challenging for us. Whoever plays, it's going to be tough, but we all have to be ready," said Vinny.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany will play against Real Madrid for the first time as a coach.
"Everything will be important tomorrow. This is my first time here as a coach, but we have a lot of experience in these kinds of games. The outcome will partly depend on tactics, but above all on small details - like the individual quality of the players. We were preparing for Real and saw what they did against City. This is probably the toughest away game you can have, but we want to win," said Kompany.
Kane has been training, but it is still uncertain whether he will be available for the team for the upcoming match. Goalkeeper Sven Ulreich is out of the game.
"It was important that he had a good training session today. I don't think he lost his rhythm. We'll wait until tomorrow and make a decision. Everyone is available except Sven Ulreich. We have a great team and we're ready for both matches," said the Belgian strategist.
Or a Vinicius-Mbappé tandem?
"Every team at this level is dangerous. We want to keep a clean sheet and score at least one. There is no specific game plan for a team like Real. We have a lot of things to look at and I hope we have enough solutions," said Kompany.
What are Bayern's chances in this doubleheader?
"The most important thing is to be completely focused on tomorrow's game. We want to show what we can do and give our best. I just want us to win and not be afraid," Kompany said.
YOU'RE JOKING AGAINST "YOUR" SPORTING
In the second semi-final, which will be played tonight in Lisbon, Sporting and Arsenal will meet.
The Portuguese giants made a memorable comeback in the round of 16 and eliminated the Norwegian sensation Bode/Glimt, while Arsenal easily overcame Bayer Leverkusen.
The Gunners are considered the big favorites in this tie, but they arrive in Lisbon after two consecutive defeats – against Manchester City and Southampton.
"We need to have perspective and understand how difficult this is and what we have done so far. Feel that pain and emotion and use it to be better. We saw clearly what happened - we watched the game twice, we didn't deserve to lose, but football punishes things related to our identity and we have to defend that even more strongly," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal played a perfect league phase – achieving all eight wins, and for the third season in a row, they made it to the top eight.
"We must welcome this opportunity with excitement and maximum preparation. The focus must be on the present and what has brought us here," said the Spanish expert.
It will be a particularly emotional match for Viktor Djokeres, who is returning to a place of success, having just arrived at the Emirates from Sporting in June last year, in a transfer worth 65 million euros.
"I think he's very excited. He's grateful to Sporting and everything he's experienced there. Now it's the quarter-finals of the Champions League with Arsenal and you can imagine what that means to him," Arteta said.
Đokereš has scored five goals in his last three games, including a hat-trick against Ukraine in the semi-finals of the World Cup play-offs, and then the decisive goal against Poland.
"The goal that qualified Sweden for the World Cup is a moment that will last forever. I hope they will show their best tomorrow," said Mikel Arteta.
Both matches start at 9 p.m., with the return matches in Munich and London taking place next Wednesday.
SCHEDULE
Tuesday (9:00 p.m.)
Real Madrid – Bayern Munich
Sporting – Arsenal
Wednesday (9:00 p.m.)
Barcelona – Atletico Madrid
PSG – Liverpool
