Good evening all! Thank you very much for joining
Sports Mole for tonight's Champions League semi-final second leg between
Real Madrid and
Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu!
What an occasion we have in store; the two former European champions could not be separated in a frenetic 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena last week, but there must be a winner and a loser in the Spanish capital.
An all-German final with Borussia Dortmund will await Bayern if they can rise to the occasion, but Real Madrid have treble goals in mind after their La Liga and Supercopa de Espana successes.
With just an hour to go before the first whistle blows, it's time for a look at the team news...
REAL MADRID STARTING XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo,
Vinicius Junior
Subs: Kepa, Courtois, Militao, Vazquez, Modric, Camavinga, Joselu, Ceballos, Garcia, Diaz, Guler
BAYERN MUNICH STARTING XI: Neuer; Kimmich, De Ligt, Dier, Mazraoui; Laimer, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
Subs: Peretz, Ulreich, Upamecano, Kim, Goretzka, Choupo-Moting, Zaragoza, Muller, Davies, Tel
Just the one change for Real Madrid from the team that drew the first leg. Dani Carvajal - who was suspended for that thrilling affair - comes straight back in at right-back, as Lucas Vazquez drops down to the bench.
Carlo Ancelotti rotated his resources heavily for the weekend's 3-0 La Liga win over Cadiz, though, and nine of those starters drop out; only Carvajal and Nacho Fernandez have retained.
As such, Andriy Lunin keeps his place in goal over Thibaut Courtois, who made his comeback from two devastating knee injuries at the weekend. Despite his incredible 2022 final performance, there is no room for sentiment for Ancelotti, who confirmed to the press that Lunin would start this one.
Only David Alaba - once of Bayern Munich, of course - is still missing through injury for Los Blancos, while Eder Militao makes the bench; the Brazilian is still not quite 100% after his own ACL injury.
There was some speculation as to whether Aurelien Tchouameni could have been fielded in defence to allow Eduardo Camavinga to start in midfield, but Ancelotti goes with what he knows, and who are we to question a man chasing his fifth Champions League title?
However,
Thomas Tuchel has thrown up quite the surprise in his Bayern Munich XI. Aleksandar Pavlovic, the embryonic midfielder who only turned 20 years old last Friday, starts. The kid must be pretty good (well, we know he is).
Pavlovic's inclusion for Leon Goretzka is one of three changes made by the Bayern boss, who also brings in Serge Gnabry for the experienced Thomas Muller and swaps out Kim Min-jae for Matthijs de Ligt, who missed the first leg with a knee injury.
Kim's demotion to the bench is certainly no surprise; the former Napoli man did not cover himself in glory for either Real Madrid goal in the first leg and was even labelled "greedy" by his own manager.
Partnering the fit-again De Ligt is Eric Dier, whose renaissance since leaving Tottenham Hotspur has certainly taken people by surprise. He also overcomes a Terry Butcher moment from the weekend to line up at the back.
For the younger generation, Terry Butcher sported perhaps the bloodiest shirt even seen on the field during a 1990 World Cup qualifier for England. Dier being busted open in a Bundesliga loss to Stuttgart may not be regarded as so iconic, though.
Dier was one of two Bayern players to sustain injuries at the weekend - Raphael Guerreiro hurt his ankle and misses out as expected.
Right, now that's taken care of, who fancies a look at the form book? Spoiler alert - it favours Real Madrid.
Los Blancos' second-string team eased past Cadiz 3-0 at the weekend, which proved to be their title-clinching triumph as Barcelona lost to Girona later in the day. Thirty-six times Real Madrid have been crowned Spanish champions - another extension to the trophy cabinet in order!
Brahim Diaz, Joselu and Jude Bellingham were among the scorers for Ancelotti's side at the weekend. Of course, the latter will enjoy an emotional reunion with Borussia Dortmund in the final if Real can get the job done tonight.
However, a Bayern Munich side who have already conceded their customary Bundesliga crown to Bayer Leverkusen went down 3-1 to Stuttgart last time out. Tuchel also made rotations in abundance, but unlike Ancelotti, his did not pay off.
Not even second place is assured for Bayern, who could still be overtaken by RB Leipzig and recent conquerors Stuttgart before the curtain comes down on the season. Champions League qualification is assured, though, and triumphing in this year's edition would be the best parting gift for the departing Tuchel.
The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss is chasing history as well as a winners' medal here, as no coach has ever taken three separate clubs to a Champions League final; of course, Bayern broke PSG hearts in 2020 before Tuchel masterminded Chelsea's run to glory in 2021, which included a two-legged semi-final success over Real Madrid. Time for history to repeat itself?
Bayern's search for a Tuchel successor has already hit roadblock after roadblock, though. No Xabi Alonso, no Zinedine Zidane, no Julen Lopetegui and no Ralf Rangnick. The marketing team seemingly need to work on their job advert.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was thought to be a serious candidate too, but Bayern's interest has apparently cooled, which may or may not be linked to Crystal Palace's astonishing 4-0 win over the Red Devils a couple of nights ago.
Bayern have hardly performed as well on the road, though; they have won just two of their last nine away from home and are yet to even keep a clean sheet on rival turf in 2024. Their last shut-out away from their headquarters coincidentally came against none other than Man United - sorry Red Devils fans, that'll be the last one.
Bayern's appalling road record should have Real licking their lips; the Spanish champions have scored multiple goals in each of their last five home games and are unbeaten in 20 in all tournaments since January's Copa del Rey exit to local rivals Atletico Madrid.
Furthermore, the hosts' unbeaten run at the Bernabeu reads 30 matches since Villarreal won 3-2 here in April 2023, exactly 13 months ago to this day. Unlucky? A harbinger of doom? Or just a mere coincidence? We'll see who is on the right side of superstition tonight.
The warm-ups have just concluded as the Bernabeu fills up.
Harry Kane ended with a few sprints as he chases goal number 45 in a Bayern shirt tonight. What a phenomenal debut season he's had.
Kane's teammates must be devilishly diligent at the other end, though, as Bayern have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 16 against Real Madrid - against no side do they have a worse defensive record against in the Champions League.
Who doesn't love a head-to-head statistic? This will be the 28th time that Real and Bayern meet in Europe's top tournament, and the German giants just edge the wins counter with 12 compared to Los Blancos' 11, while there have also been four draws.
However, last week's first-leg thriller stretched Real's unbeaten run against Bayern to eight games since the Spanish giants lost their 2011-12 semi-final on penalties. Three all-time greats - Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos - fluffed their lines from the spot that day.
The dreaded 12-yard shootout will be required tonight if there is nothing to separate these two behemoths after 120 minutes. Hopefully Bayern have not taken any lessons on how to beat Lunin from the spot from Bernardo Silva.
Anyway, under five minutes to go until kickoff! Real chasing a 15th European Cup, Bayern out to add to their six titles in the Wembley final in a few weeks' time. The continental nous is off the scale, and Bernabeu sparks should certainly fly tonight.
We've already had confirmation of one European finalist tonight - Fiorentina's 1-1 draw with Club Brugge in the Europa Conference League semi-final sent them through 4-3 on aggregate (not to brag, but 1-1 was our prediction too...)
With that in mind, Real Madrid have our vote to shade this one, which we believe will be another goal-packed extravaganza. 3-2 to Ancelotti's men we say.
The teams are out and taking in the famous Champions League anthem. It never gets old.
Tonight's referee is Szymon Marciniak, who earned many a plaudit for his performance in the 2022 World Cup final, but the less said about the Newcastle United-Paris Saint-Germain penalty farce the better.
KICKOFF: Bayern get us underway at the Bernabeu.
Bayern lose the ball straight away and Vinicius Junior attacks down the left for the first time. Joshua Kimmich manages to get a block in, and the corner comes to nothing.
The visitors are already aware of Vinicius's threat, but that was a very early warning sign.
Leroy Sane feels that Ferland Mendy is unfairly holding him on the edge of the box, but the referee is not moved.
The energetic Federico Valverde robs Dier of the ball close to the Bayern box, but Rodrygo's cross is snuffed out. Real taking control early doors.
CLOSE! Right across the face of goal! Real attack down the right through Dani Carvajal, whose cross flashes across the face of goal, but Rodrygo just cannot reach it.
Bellingham had a penalty shout waved away in the same phase of play; he felt he was unfairly felled by Kimmich. Bayern living dangerously early on!
CLOSE! Now it's the visitors' turn to go close in almost identical circumstances! Serge Gnabry flashes a ball across the face of goal towards Kane - could he have shot? There's too much fizz on the cross for the England captain and the ball sails harmlessly behind.
That Bayern attack was sparked by a brilliant slide-rule pass from Pavlovic to Musiala. The 20-year-old justifying his selection early on.
Real opt for a quick free kick after Konrad Laimer got too tight to Vinicius, but the ball is recycled back to the Blancos defenders.
OFF THE POST! INCREDIBLE!
There are two balls on the pitch, but Real continue into the Bayern box and Vinicius Junior smacks the post before Manuel Neuer makes an astonishing save from Rodrygo on the rebound!
SHOT! How did Real not score just then? Neuer, that's how.
Vinicius now tries to bend one into the far corner, but his effort sails harmlessly wide.
Neuer's confidence is unparalleled. The veteran stopper now jinks his way past Rodrygo and sparks a Bayern attack, but
Leroy Sane's cross, shot or whatever it was is meat and drink for Nacho.
Breathless start in the Spanish capital.
Real certainly deserve to be ahead on the balance of play, but Bayern have proven their threat on the break and are now comfortably knocking the ball around at the back.
First flare-up of the match! Ferland Mendy fells Sane and Laimer takes particular issue with it. Marciniak keeps his cards in his pocket for now.
That's more like it from Laimer.
The Bayern man does brilliantly to steal the ball from a charging Vinicius and is brought down by Valverde for his troubles.
Few boos around the Bernabeu as Bayern continue to knock the ball about. De Ligt brings down Bellingham to cheaply concede possession back to the hosts, though.
Vinicius should do better! Rodrygo gets away from Mazraoui down the right and finds his compatriot, but his touch lets him down and De Ligt hacks clear.
Bit of argy-bargy between Kane and Carvajal as the latter brings down the Bayern man close to the centre circle and prevents the quick free kick from being taken. The yellow card is yet to be brandished, though.
Gnabry down off the ball for Bayern, looks like a hamstring issue for the ex-Arsenal man. His expression does not spell good news.
Just seeing that Vinicius-Rodrygo chance again, Neuer got a hand to the former's effort. It was a remarkable double save from the German.
BAYERN SUB: Gnabry cannot continue and is replaced by the speedy
Alphonso Davies - not a half-bad option.
CLOSE! BRILLIANT HIT BY KANE!
The England captain meets a volley on the edge of the box and Lunin expertly tips his corner-bound effort behind.
The Ukrainian then confidently gathers the resulting corner.
Kane has hardly been involved so far, but that chance was a timely reminder of his quality. Just one half-chance could be the difference when that man is on the pitch.
Kane tries a through ball to Leroy Sane but the winger is outpaced by... Nacho? The departing Real captain rightly gets a round of applause from the Bernabeu crowd.
SHOT! Rodrygo tries his luck from range but De Ligt is in the way. The Dutchman has been a wall so far.
Kroos always looking to dictate the play and sprays a lovely ball out to Rodrygo. The ex-Bayern man received a hostile reception last week but is much more adored in Madrid.
SHOT! Now it's Bayern who can't get near the ball. Bellingham bursts infield and lets fly, but Laimer is the latest to produce a crucial block.
Possession is back in Bayern's control, but Mendy produces a terrific sliding tackle on Sane. Proper old-school stuff, that.
Kroos stands over a free kick after a foul by De Ligt... but the Dutchman then redeems himself by heading the ball clear.
SAVE! Brilliant again by Neuer!
An inswinging cross by Vinicius misses everyone, and the Bayern number one reacts quickly to tip the ball behind. Age really is just a number for goalkeepers isn't it?
Bayern always looking to take the sting out of the contest after Real go close, and to be fair, it's a tactic that is working. Tuchel would surely welcome the whistle now, though.
SAVE! Davies - who has been bright since he's come on - tries to pick out Kane inside the box, but Bellingham is across with a strong sliding tackle.
The ball comes out to Mazraoui, but his long-range curler is comfortable for Lunin.
Just one minute added on.
HALF TIME: REAL MADRID 0-0 BAYERN MUNICH
HALF TIME: Well, it's not quite been the goal-laden affair we expected, but it's been entertaining nonetheless.
Real have come close three times - twice through Vinicius and once through Rodrygo - but Neuer has stood tall with a trio of amazing saves.
Down the other end, Lunin also produced a top stop from Kane's exquisite volley. Still all to play for in the second 45!
Analysis from Sports Mole editor Barney Corkhill:
"This match has had its moments, but you feel like it is still waiting to really burst into life.
"Real Madrid have looked the more dangerous, and Bayern have the timeless Manuel Neuer to thank for still being level, but the visitors are still very much in this tie and it is a difficult one to call at the halfway stage.
"The Champions League semi-finals never seem to disappoint so I am expecting things to ramp up a bit more in the second half, but that was still a captivating opening 45 minutes."
Real shading the statistics, but the scoreline in the top-left hand corner is all that matters. Neuer has well and truly earned his keep so far.
Toni Kroos. Professional Real Madrid midfielder and full-time strings-puller. The German's pass mastery was on show against his old side in that first half.
In contrast, Kane has completed just the one pass so far, although that will certainly be forgiven if he can strike quickly in the second 45.
KICKOFF: Real Madrid get us back underway. Time for somebody to write their hero's tale.
No half-time substitutions for either side, by the way.
CLOSE! Real threaten straight away!
Vinicius Junior leaves Kimmich in his wake and tries to pick out the arriving Valverde, but Dier is well-positioned to clear.
Nacho then tries one from range, but the less said about that the better.
CLOSE! Straight down the other end, Davies's strike takes a wicked deflection off of a sliding Carvajal and goes behind, much to the Spaniard's relief.
The corner is recycled but Bayern are eventually forced back.
Copy and paste - Vinicius is just too quick for Kimmich on the left, but there are enough Bayern bodies in the box to bail the German out.
Bayern now calming the game down after that frenetic opening, but any time Vinicius gets on the ball spells serious danger for the visitors.
SHOT! What we were just saying?
Vinicius burns Kimmich for pace once more but his cross is cut out, and from the resulting corner, Valverde's speculative volley is well wide.
SAVE! Kane barges Mendy off the ball and tries to beat Lunin at his near post, but the Ukrainian is down quickly.
SHOT! SO CLOSE!
SHOT! Not even three Bayern bodies can prevent Vinicius from delivering a ball into Rodrygo, who tries to go across goal with a first-time strike, which trickles just wide.
That chance has certainly woken the home fans up - the Bernabeu is bouncing.
Laimer barges into Bellingham from behind and Real have a free kick in a promising position...
SAVE! NEUER AGAIN!
Rodrygo's drive is a venomous one, but Neuer springs himself to his right and comes up with a strong one-handed save.
SAVE! THE TWO BEST PLAYERS ON THE PITCH!
SAVE! Vinicius is just unstoppable when he's in full flow, and it takes another fine Neuer stop to deny the Brazilian after a dangerous burst infield.
Musiala, whose thunder has been stolen by Vinicius tonight, tries to go on a mazy run of his own and at least wins a free kick off of Rudiger, which comes to nought.
Is it just a matter of time for Real now? Ancelotti's players are firing up the crowd at every corner, every throw-in, every free kick. Bayern are on the ropes.
Kimmich resorts to handball to stopping Vinicius, but only after he was already sprawled on the ground.
Free kick Real...
SHOT! Neuer gets enough on the delivery and Bayern clear as far as Carvajal, whose audacious volley is still rising.
SAVE! Bayern make a rare foray forward through Davies, who lays off the tricky Musiala, and Lunin is called into action to tip his drive over the top.
The corner goes out of play before it reaches Valverde at the near post. Chance wasted.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH (DAVIES)
GOAL! THAT. IS. A. PEACH.
For all of Real's pressure, Bayern strike first!
Again, substitute Davies is the threat down the left, taking the ball from Kane and cutting inside Rudiger before thumping a right-footed drive into the far corner!
REAL MADRID SUBS: Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga on for Kroos and Tchouameni.
Davies is expected to line up for Real either next season or the one after that, but he might have just scored the goal that knocks his future employers out of the Champions League.
The Canadian would do well to ask for forgiveness if his strike is the decisive one.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-1 BAYERN (NACHO)
BUT WILL IT STAND?
GOAL! Real hit back instantly but Bayern are livid!
A Modric corner is pulled back to Valverde, whose cross finds Nacho to find the net via a deflection off of De Ligt, but Nacho puts his hands up to Kimmich's face!
DISALLOWED GOAL! IT'S CHALKED OFF!
DISALLOWED GOAL! Kimmich went down like a sack of potatoes of course, but Nacho was definitely in the wrong, and Marciniak had no doubt in his mind when he went to the monitor. Real still trail!
CLOSE! Bayern nearly grab a second through Kane, but the England skipper strikes the side netting from a tight angle. Tuchel cupping his face like Nacho cupped Kimmich's.
BAYERN SUB: Defensive change from Tuchel, who brings on Kim for Sane.
Kim has slotted into a three-man central backline with Dier and De Ligt. Bayern trying to shut up shop for good, and who can blame them?
Davies's opener was his first-ever Champions League goal, by the way. What a time to score it.
REAL MADRID SUB: Ancelotti going for broke - Rodrygo and Valverde off for Joselu and Dia.
OFF THE BAR! Kim crashes the woodwork from a Kimmich corner, but the referee had spotted something anyway.
CLOSE! Straight down the other end of the field, Vinicius gets goal-side of Kimmich but lifts a side-footed strike over the top from Rudiger's delivery.
Diaz twists and turns and wins a corner off Davies, but Musiala goes down injured and unsurprisingly receives little sympathy from the home crowd.
BAYERN MUNICH SUB: Musiala's issue is serious enough to force him off, while Kane is withdrawn too. Thomas Muller and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on.
Marciniak initially has no time for Pavlovic's cramp but eventually stops play so the young midfielder can receive treatment.
Pavlovic goes off the field and receives some sort of magic liquid on his tired 20-year-old legs. Time running out for Real Madrid.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-1 BAYERN MUNICH (JOSELU)
CALAMITY FROM NEUER!
GOAL! Neuer has been Bayern's saviour in the second leg, until now! The veteran spills a tame Vinicius strike into the path of Joselu, who reacts instantly and fires in the hosts' leveller!
You can't help but feel for Neuer, but that was a proper clanger. Who would have bets on Joselu scoring in a UCL semi-final at the start of the season?
CLOSE! Real can sense the winner! Dier now makes a fantastic block from Diaz.
DISALLOWED GOAL! JOSELU THINKS HE'S SCORED AGAIN!
Rudiger's ball into the Spaniard ends with the striker converting from close range, but the offside flag is up! What drama!
GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-1 BAYERN (JOSELU)
IT'S GIVEN! OH MY WORD!
GOAL! The former Stoke City striker just about kept himself onside and may have completed Real's latest astonishing Champions League comeback!
Amid the bedlam, nine minutes have been added on. Still time for Bayern!
Swapping cold Tuesday nights in Stoke for famous Champions League Wednesday nights in Madrid. A penny for Joselu's thoughts right now!
The Espanyol loanee then wins a free kick in the centre of the pitch to slow the game down that little bit more.
To be a fly on the wall in Tuchel's head too - Bayern had this game right where they wanted it before his questionable changes!
YELLOW CARD! Speaking of Tuchel, he's now in the book for giving an official an earful.
SHOT! Mazraoui's horrendous sliced effort does not even go out of play, and Davies is then caught offside. Might that be that?
REAL MADRID SUB: Bellingham off for Militao as the clock ticks over to 100 minutes.
A last-gasp Bayern free kick inside their own half from Kimmich sails straight into Lunin's arms. The home crowd are desperate for the final whistle!
DISALLOWED GOAL! De Ligt has the ball in the back of the net but the flag had been up for a few seconds. Tight, but the correct call.
YELLOW CARD! One of the Bayern coaches also went into the referee's book during their protestations. The linesman did put his flag up very early there!
FULL TIME: REAL MADRID 2-1 BAYERN (REAL WIN 4-3 ON AGGREGATE)
REAL MADRID FIND A WAY. THEY ALWAYS FIND A WAY IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!
Los Blancos just could not find a way past the brick wall that was Neuer in the first half and fell a goal down to Davies's excellent second-half strike, but Tuchel's baffling changes changed the game.
With Kane and Musiala off the pitch, Neuer spilled Vinicius's strike into Joselu's path before the Espanyol loanee just kept himself onside and struck an incredible injury-time winner.
Borussia Dortmund in the final for Ancelotti's side, no trophy for Kane's Bayern this season.
Well, after over two hours of spellbinding action, we thank you all for joining us to witness Real Madrid reach their 18th Champions League final.
You can find our match report here.
Goodnight all!
