Real Madrid vs Bayern preview: Injury-hit Bavarians seek for revenge against champions

Real Madrid will reach their fourth Champions League final in five years if they can see off Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semi-final tie on Tuesday.

Zinedine Zidane's side already have one foot in Kiev after beating the Bavarians 2-1 in the first leg last week and they will be confident of finishing the job at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Liga giants were trailing a Joshua Kimmich goal before Marcelo and Marco Asensio struck to give them two away goals heading into the return leg.

Jupp Heynkes' side now have a tall order to fulfill in the Spanish capital if they are to end their rivals' pursuit of three Champions League titles in succession.

Real Madrid Squad

Goalkeepers: Navas, Casilla, Luca

Defenders: Ramos, Vallejo, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Theo

Midfielders: Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Asensio, Kovacic, Ceballos

Forwards: Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale, Mayoral, Lucas

Real Madrid have been dealt a blow with the news that Isco will be unavailable for the game, but defender Nacho is in contention.

Cristiano Ronaldo comes into the game especially fresh after sitting out the weekend's victory over Leganes, with Gareth Bale expected to miss out at his expense.

Potential Real Madrid starting XI: Navas; Marcelo, Varane, Ramos, Vazquez; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos, Asensio; Ronaldo, Benzema.

Bayern Munich squad

Goalkeepers: Starke, Ulreich, Fruchtl

Defenders: Sule, Hummels, Martinez, Rafinha, Bernat, Mai, Rudy, Alaba

Midfielders: Thiago, Ribery, James, Shabani, Tolisso, Dorsch, Kimmich

Forwards: Wagner, Lewandowski, Muller

Bayern have been forced to contend with somewhat of an injury crisis and they will be without Jerome Boateng and Arjen Robben for the second leg.

Kingsley Coman is also missing, while Manuel Neuer is still not ready to feature as he continues to recover from injury.

Potential Bayern Munich starting XI: Ulreich; Hummels, Sule, Kimmich, Alaba; Martinez, Thiago, James, Ribery, Muller; Lewandowski.

Match Preview

Despite the fact that Real Madrid came from behind to win 2-1 at the Allianz Arena in the first leg, Bayern boss Heynckes has reminded them that they are not invincible and is taking inspiration from Juventus' 3-1 win at the Bernabeu in the previous round.

Madrid had an even healthier lead over the Italians in the quarter-final, winning 3-0 in Turin, but their place in the final four was under threat as they conceded three goals before Ronaldo's controversial last-minute penalty ultimately put them through.

"Real Madrid showed in [the Juve] game they're vulnerable even at home. They're not invincible in spite of appearances," the Bavarians' boss told reporters. "We know things are going to be difficult. Madrid are used to very important games but so are we. We'll be a very tough opponent."

Despite Heynckes' optimism, the visitors' chances of upsetting Madrid were dealt a blow when they lost Boateng and Robben to injury in the first leg. Nevertheless, they possess sufficient quality and experience to mount a credible challenge.

The hosts, meanwhile, were forced to watch on at the weekend as their fierce rivals Barcelona clinched Liga glory, something that magnifies their under-performance during the current campaign. However, winning the Champions League for the third year in succession will render that irrelevant and that will serve to spur them on even more on Tuesday.

Opta Stats

No team has ever overturned a 2-1 home first-leg defeat in the Champions League, in seven previous such occurrences.

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will meet for the 26th time in European competition, more than any other fixture. Real Madrid have now won 12 of these encounters to Bayern's 11 victories (2 draws).

Bayern Munich have lost their last six games against Real Madrid (all in the knockout stages of the Champions League), their longest ever run of defeats against one opponent in European competition. Their last away win against Real was in May 2001, in the Champions League semis (1-0, goal by Giovane Elber).

Real Madrid have scored in each of their last 41 Champions League games at the Bernabeu, last failing to find the net in April 2011 against Barcelona (0-2). In that run, they've won 34 games, drawn five and lost only two, including their latest outing against Juventus in this year's quarter-finals (1-3).

Under Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid have never been knocked out in the Champions League, progressing in all eight of their two-legged Champions League ties as well as winning the two finals they've appeared in. They've also won seven of their eight knockout games at home (L1).