Real Madrid Hosts Bayern Munich in Champions League Quarter-Final
Real Madrid will host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. English referee Michael Oliver will officiate the match, which marks the 29th clash between the two clubs in European competitions. Real Madrid holds a slight historical edge with 13 wins to Bayern's 11, along with four draws.
Real Madrid has won 12 of its last 14 Champions League knockout stage matches and lost just once in 25 home games against German teams. The Spanish side advanced past Manchester City with a 5-1 aggregate victory in the previous round but suffered a 2-1 league defeat to Mallorca last time out. It sits second in La Liga, seven points behind leader Barcelona.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, has only two defeats in 43 games this season. The German champions eliminated Atalanta 10-2 on aggregate and sit top of the Bundesliga by nine points following a 3-2 win over Freiburg. However, Bayern has lost four of its last five quarter-final appearances.
Injuries will impact both sides. Real Madrid will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and forward Rodrygo, with the fitness of defender Ferland Mendy and midfielder Dani Ceballos uncertain. Bayern has several players sidelined, and striker Harry Kane's status remains unclear.
Key matchups include Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, who has 13 Champions League goals this season, against Kane, who has 10. Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa described Bayern as one of Europe's readiest teams. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany called the fixture a dream game.
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