Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid: Combined XI
In what is most certainly the bigger semi-final clash of this season’s UEFA Champions League, Bayern Munich meet Real Madrid in a two-legged affair with The Bavarians welcoming Los Blancos this Wednesday to the Allianz Arena in Munich.
After a brief period in the beginning of the season where Bayern Munich slightly looked out of form, they returned to their usual self with the return of Jupp Heynckes at the helm. Since then, they have managed to wrap up the league title for a sixth consecutive time and have all eyes set on completing their first treble since 2013.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have had a topsy-turvy season, in that they have looked nowhere near their best in La Liga while being a completely different force to reckon with in the European competition.
This is the only competition that they are playing for in this season, and impressive wins against Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus in the knockout rounds have positioned them as a strong favourite for a third consecutive Champions League title.
Ahead of this mouthwatering clash in the midweek, let’s look at the combined XI of the two teams involved in this slideshow.
Note: Only the players declared fit have been considered for the selection.
Goalkeeper
Looking at the first-choice goalkeeper for both teams, an easier pick here would have been Manuel Neuer. However, he hasn’t played for most parts of the season, and even though he has returned to light training recently, it’s unlikely that he will be picked immediately.
In his absence, Sven Ulreich has deputized well and he is almost certain to keep hold of the number 1 jersey for the rest of the season. While Ulreich would be a good option, Keylor Navas is our pick for the goalkeeper spot in this combined 11.
Despite his horror show in the home leg against Juventus, especially in the third goal, there’s no doubt about his overall quality behind the defensive lineup. He has played a big role in the two UEFA Champions League victories for Real Madrid, and if it comes down to the battle of two goalkeepers in this semifinal fixture, Navas would likely be a safer bet.