It's power vs. power as Bayern Munich takes on Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal matchup (2:45 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel).
For Bayern Munich, maintaining their blistering home form is crucial if they want to entertain thoughts of returning to Allianz Arena for next month's final and become the first team to play for a European cup title at its home stadium since Roma did in 1983. Arjen Robben will look to make that happen by striking against his former club, for whom he played from 2007-2009.
According to statistics outfit Opta, Real Madrid is 0-8-1 all-time in European competitions in Munich, but Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. will look to leave that past behind and continue their impressive run through the tournament. A result on the road would see the club seize control ahead of next week's return leg in Madrid and put manager Jose Mourinho a step closer to another UCL final appearance.
If you will be watching today's game, please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the action.
I love watching European cup. My favorite team is manchester. I always wear man utd shirt when man united goes to battle.
this is a fair point. however, would you agree that Real Madrid uses more physical tactics than other teams? there’s also a different between a clean, hard tackle and a bad tackle. i would say Scott Parker is a good example of a player who tackles very hard but cleanly, i really enjoy watching that type of match. A madrid match, not so much.
u mad bro?
Nasty by Marcelo but he seemed to be apologizing which is good but then when confronted by the big boys of Bayern he shoves Boetang in the face. If Gomez is on in the second leg for Bayern I think they’ll advance against Barcelona. That’s right you can pencil Barcelona into the final.
Here we go, more ‘dirty’ this ‘dirty’ that. I honestly don’t think many of you started watching or playing soccer until late in your lives.
It’s a contact sport. Not a sissy sport. You whine when players ‘dive’ and you whine when players are rough because it’s ‘dirty’
Yawn.
as passive as Chicharito standing next to the goal line and then moving DURING the GOLD CUP
I hope Mourinho plays Coentrao on Saturday so Alexis can destroy him.
Stupid Marcelo just lucked out so hard. Madrid has the dirtiest cast of players.
Wow, Madrid should have had Ramos and Xabi sent off in a span of several minutes and both inexplicably escape reds.
If a player in an offside position jumps over a ball going to goal, is that passive?
That is a “won’t”, not a “can’t”.
Hold Mike Magee’s Jock?
Madrid players going down easier than a Las Vegas call girl.
Goal Ribery!
Good start by Madrid.
Dirty Germans stole Ronaldo’s cleats in stadium. Trash.
Links?
Is there anything Brian McBride can’t do?
¡Hala Madrid! ¡Vamos al final!
¡Hala Madrid! ¡Vamos al final!
McBride has been a good addition to their studio show. It is funny that the two Americans(Wynalda,McBride) are more insightful than the Englishman(Barton).
HALA MADRID!