Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid LIVE: Champions League team news, line-ups and more ahead of semi-final tonight

The head-to-head record is finely poised, with Madrid narrowly edging Bayern with 12 wins compared to the German club’s 11.

Despite the even historical record, though, it is Madrid who have dominated the team’s encounters in recent years. In fact, Bayern are winless in their last seven games against tonight’s opposition, losing six of those meetings (D1). Indeed, this is the German’s side longest winless run against an opponent in European competition.

The last time these sides met was in the 2017/18 Champions League semi-finals, with Madrid prevailing 4-3 on aggregate.

Ahead of tonight, the fixture was already the most played fixture in the history of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League (26 games), with 24 of those coming in the knockout stages of the competition – also the most between two sides.

What will match number 27 have in store?

Well, far earlier than we were expecting but we have Real Madrid’s starting line-up for tonight:

Having rung the changes for their 1-0 win against Real Sociedad at the weekend, Anceloitt returns to his strongest side, with only Tchouameni keeping his place in the side.

Real Madrid: Lunin; Vazquez, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Tchouameni, Valverde, Kroos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.

Subs: Courtois, Kepa, Militao, Modric, Camavinga, Joselu, Ceballos, Garcia, Diaz, Guller.

Tomorrow night, it’s the turn of Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain in the other Champions League semi-final. The first leg will take place in Germany and the home side have been boosted by the return of four key players.

All of Bayern’s club employees lined the streets outside their training ground to give their team a special send-off ahead of tonight’s game.

The Uruguayan midfield also spoke to the media ahead of tonight’s semi-final and insisted his side remain as hungry as ever as they look to capture a famous double this season.

“We’re excited. It’s the first time that I play against this team in the competition. I have faith and I’m eager to play. I’m happy for all I’m experiencing with this team. You have to appreciate every moment defending these colours and this jersey. Winning this competition is so valuable and it’s a beautiful thing,” he said.

“I have absolute confidence in my team. We have to respect our opposition and the club we’re up against. We have real faith in the players here. The defenders, the midfielders and forwards. We’re excited, hungry to make the final and we’ll fight to do just that.”

Carlo Ancelotti previews the semi-final further, speaking to TNT Sports:

Ancelotti is the most successful coach in the competition’s history with five victories, while Real Madrid are eyeing up a record-extending 15th title.

“Real Madrid are never underrated in this competition. Everyone knows what we can do. To be honest, we feel hugely respected by everyone in this competition,” the Italian said on Monday.

“We are confident but we have great respect for this team. They haven’t had the best season in the Bundesliga but they played a very impressive tie against Arsenal. They were very good in both games. We have to look at that, Arsenal are a very strong side in Europe and they delivered two superb displays.”

Bayern’s Serge Gnabry scored in the quarter-final first leg against Arsenal but has since missed his last four games with injury. The 28-year-old, though, is due to return from injury tonight and Tuchel is confident that the attacker will mark his return in style.

“Serge Gnabry will score tomorrow. It will happen. I don’t know how I know, but it will happen,” he said.

Only time will tell with that prediction…

Speaking ahead of tonight’s match, the Bayern boss was full of optimism.

“We are ready, we have a lot of confidence. It was important to beat Arsenal. Now the next step is against Real Madrid. We want to be competitive and reach Wembley. We have to focus on tomorrow and be well prepared,” Tuchel said in the pre-match press conference.

“We need an absolutely top atmosphere. It was already great against Arsenal – it has to be even better now. We also need the spectators to support us, even in moments when it’s more difficult.

“We need maximum support to get through phases in which we have to suffer. Together with the spectators, we need to create an atmosphere that gives us an advantage.”