This year, manager Álvaro Arbeloa’s side are determined to win their 16th Champions League title. This would be all the more significant given that the Champions League could be Real’s last remaining chance of winning a trophy this season.
In the Copa del Rey, they suffered a sensational defeat in the round of 16 in mid-January against second-tier side Albacete; in LaLiga, following last Saturday’s surprise 1-2 defeat at relegation-threatened RCD Mallorca, Real are already seven points behind league leaders Barcelona with eight matchdays remaining.
Although Real are considered to have a good chance in this quarter-final clash, largely due to their successful history in Europe’s premier club competition, Bayern are slight favourites given their outstanding form. “For me, the most important thing is that we are fully focused on the toughest game you can have in Europe. In my mind, I simply want us to win, for the team not to be afraid here and to show what we’re capable of,” said FCB manager Vincent Kompany at Monday’s press conference.
In Madrid, Bayern are looking to secure a strong starting position for the second leg, which takes place in Munich next Wednesday. In the semi-finals, the winner of this tie will face either defending champions Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool FC – and thus, in any case, another giant of European football.