Classic, evergreen or eternal duel: FC Bayern and Real Madrid cross swords for the 25th time in a European match, no other fixture has been staged as often. The record is evenly balanced, both teams having won 11 matches, with two games ending in a draw. However, semi-finals against Real are a good omen for Bayern. The two sides have faced off six times in the last four, Bayern advancing to the final four times, Real coming out on top twice. fcbayern.com has compiled more facts and stats prior to the cracker at the Allianz Arena.
Semi-final experts
FC Bayern have made it to the last four for the sixth time in seven years, always encountering Spanish sides in the semi-finals in this period. The German record champions failed to advance in the last few years, but their overall record is imposing. No other side has won as many semi-final encounters as FC Bayern since the inception of the Champions League in 1992/93. Bayern have won 11 matches, slightly ahead of Real on 10 victories. But the men from Madrid boast a record, having contested the CL semi-finals 13 times, more than any other club.
Strong home record
Thomas Müller & Co boast an impressive record in CL home matches. FC Bayern have won 20 of their last 22 home matches in Europe's premier club competition. However, both exceptions involved clubs from Spain. Sevilla held the German record champions to a goalless draw in the quarter-final return leg. The only defeat came in last season's quarter-final, a 2-1 reverse against none other than Real Madrid. Taken altogether, Bayern's home record against the men form the Spanish capital is positive, Bayern winning nine out of 12 matches on their home field.
Heynckes against Zidane: two streaks
Jupp Heynckes' and Zinedine Zidane's collections of silverware are impressive even if only their active careers are taken into account. Both are world and European champions, have clinched numerous championship titles and won the European Cup. The two boast similar successes as Champions League coaches. Zidane contested two Champions League campaigns as a coach before this season and clinched the title both times. Heynckes contested three CL campaigns and always made it to the final, hoisting the trophy with Real Madrid in 1998 and with Bayern in 2013. One of the streaks will come to an end in the semi-finals.
Duel of the strikers
They embody hunger for goals: Bayern's Robert Lewandowski and Real's Cristiano Ronaldo. Both strikers are in top form. The Poland captain scored 18 goals in 17 competitive fixtures in 2018. Lewandowski has netted 25 times in 21 home matches so far this season. Ronaldo found the net in each of his last 12 matches for Madrid, scoring a total of 22 goals in this period. The Portugal captain has scored 24 of Real's last 50 goals. Bayern v Real also entails a thrilling duel of the top strikers.
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