5 ways Bayern Munich can beat Real Madrid in the second leg of the semi-final
A European Clasico is in our hands as Real Madrid play host to Bayern Munich in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Zinedine Zidane's men carry a 2-1 lead going into the match with the German expedition bearing fruit for Real Madrid, courtesy of two valuable away goals.
All the odds are placed against Bayern Munich at the moment. No team has overturned a 2-1 first leg home deficit at this stage of the competition. Add to that, the Bavarians have not beaten Real Madrid in their last six attempts. The last time Bayern won at the Bernabeu came way back in 2001.
Real Madrid are the defending champions and are the favourites for many to reach yet another grand final. Their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is in the form of his life whereas Bayern Munich are crippled with injuries in every department.
But football has a karmic aspect of levelling things up. Despite all the injuries and the mental block of their recent failures against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich do have a strong team that can beat the European champions in their own den.
Call it revenge for last season's infamous ouster or as a tribute to Jupp Heynckes, Bayern Munich will be up for this Herculean task better than ever before. So, let's take a look at five ways how Bayern Munich can trouble Real Madrid tonight and can run out as winners:
#5 Applying a high press
In the first 25 minutes of the first leg, Bayern Munich pressed Real Madrid high up the pitch and as a result, they were seen controlling the entire game. They hunted in numbers and attacked the Madrid defenders in possession as a unit.
It reduced the time and space available to the Madrid player in possession as it forced him either to go long or pass the ball into crowded spaces. Bayern Munich targeted the fullbacks and Casemiro, with James Rodriguez and the wingers often initiating the press.
The Bavarians, in search of at least 2 goals tonight, need to deploy the same tactic to regain possession as quickly as possible. Real Madrid aren't comfortable when pressed high up the pitch which was reflected in their Champions League defeats to Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur this season.