Champions League 2025-2026: Bayern Munich-Real Madrid, the likely lineups

At 9 p.m., in the spectacular setting of the Allianz Arena, the quarterfinal return match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid is staged. It starts from the resounding 2-1 first leg in favor of the Bavarians, who were capable in the feat of conquering the Bernabeu. Kompany’s Bayern sees the semifinal finish line just a step away, but facing them will be a wounded Real ready to play it out until the end. With the away goal no longer worth double, any scenario is possible; if the Germans will need to stay compact and strike on the counterattack, the Blancos will need another perfect night to overturn a still in the balance qualification. Arbeloa is aware that, with the championship now gone, reaching the final, and possibly winning it, would represent the only ray of sunshine in a disappointing season so far, marked also by Xabi Alonso’s premature exoneration.

Kompany is banking on the team that managed to rout Madrid. In front of the guaranteed Neuer, the defense will be led by Tah and Upamecano, with Laimer and Stanisic on the flanks. The surprise comes from the three-quarter, where Musiala should initially sit on the bench, leaving room for the trio formed by Olise, Gnabry and Luis Diaz, with Kane as the only offensive reference.

Arbeloa arrives in Munich with only one goal, which is to make up the score from the first leg. The coach will be able to count on the crucial return of Jude Bellingham, who was absent in the first leg. In attack the pair will be Mbappé-Vinicius, supported by the talent of Arda Guler, called upon to hit the German defense from the first minutes. In defense without Courtois, it will again be Lunin’s turn to protect the posts, while in the midfield Valverde’s presence will be crucial to give the right push to reach the semifinal.

Bayern Munich-Real Madrid, the likely lineups

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Luis Díaz; Kane. All. Kompany.

Real Madrid (4-4-2): Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Militao, Carreras; Valverde, Pitarch, Bellingham, Guler; Mbappé, Vinicius. All. Arbeloa.

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