PRE-MATCH | BAYERN MUNICH - REAL MADRID POSSIBLE STARTING TEAM LINE-UPS

Huge Football match tonight between two World & European Soccer giants. Bayern Munich hosts Real Madrid in the 2º leg semi-final of the UEFA Champions League with a 0-1 disadvantage. Maximum tension, plenty of nerves & Football pride intertwined in an atmosphere that will be heated up by 70.000 screaming fans. 

courtesy of "Sport"

Plenty has been said since the last time both teams met in Madrid last week, with a tsunami of criticism for Bayern Munich Coach Guardiola from within his own Club & the German press. One thing Guardiola is not, is stupid, & he has surely learnt well the possible mistakes from the 1º leg game. Real Madrid recover a dangerous Cristiano Ronaldo now at 100% level & Gareth Bale to add speed up front. 

But the big debate these last days is about the possible starting XI team line-ups for both Clubs. Spanish Sports paper "Sport" produce their habitual "infograph" with their speculated starting XI for both teams. Looking at it they follow the general consensus locally, that Bayern Coach Guardiola is very much concerned with the Real Madrid counter-attacks & pace & will put Lahm back to the right back position, with Javi Martinez in the midfield to perhaps do a man-on-man job & Muller to add some verticality to his team & aid Mandzukic.  With Real Madrid it is speculated that they will go all out to attack & attempt to score using the "BBC" ( Bale, Benzema & Cristiano Ronaldo ) formation. Here the variation is Bale for Isco, & this is a point of debate.

One of the reasons that Real Madrid won 1 - 0 in the 1st leg was the 4-4-2 combination used by Real Madrid & the incredible sacrifice & work effort by the midfielders Di Maria & Isco. Gareth Bale is seen too offensive & lacking in defensive spirit which could give Bayern the advantage in the midfield making them dangerous. Some local observers suggest that perhaps Real Madrid should not change their line-up & keep Isco in the starting line-up.

Another point to keep in mind is the yellow card accumulation for Sergio Ramos & Xabi Alosno ( along with Illaramendi), two key players who will be Bayern Munich targets tonight & two players psychologically "limited" in their playing abilities that may give Bayern Munich an important advantage. 

Said the above these are the speculated (rumoured) starting XI line-ups for Bayern Munich & Real Madrid.

BAYERN MUNICH: Neuer , Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez, Muller, Robben, Ribery & MandzuKic
REAL MADRID: Casillas, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao, Xabi Alonso, Modric, Di Maria, Gareth Bale, Benzema & Cristiano Roanldo

As I always say, speculative line-ups, with last minute surprises also certain at this level. I beforehand put Bayern Munich as favourite to take the game. I also believe that Isco is still a possibility & that Bale may sit it out & come on late. However this is my opinion. I also fell that this is a match that will be determined by "small details" & that Real Madrid will have to be at 150% concentration & very disciplined in the midfield. Luck will play its part tonight as this element is forever present at this high level of competition. 

Therefore, big night ahead with enormous Football action. May the better team win tonight. The World Football fans will have their victory guaranteed.