Ready for the Bernabéu: Bayern believe in own strengths ahead of first leg

The stage is familiar – yet every time it gives you that tingling sensation again. Bayern in red, Real Madrid in white, floodlights at the Bernabéu, Champions League anthem. It’s the next edition of the most played fixture in Europe’s premier club competition on Tuesday night (live text and free Web Radio commentary from 21:00 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). The two clubs have faced each other a record 28 times. This isn’t just any quarter-final, it’s a match that immediately evokes memories: of late goals, missed chances, great nights that you don’t forget quickly as a fan. Read everything you need to know about this Champions League corker in our preview.

Final training, press conference & more – catch up on Bayern’s day before the match in Madrid:

Latest news from Bayern

The significance of the upcoming showdown in Madrid for Bayern was summarised by Joshua Kimmich: “The excitement is obviously huge,” said the 31-year-old. “But we also have to be honest and say: we’ve not won there yet – at least not since I’ve been here. That’s our aim.” In fact, the Munich men haven’t come out on top in any of their four knockout ties against Real since the spectacular semi-final in 2012, when they progressed on penalties despite a 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu. But that’s not because Bayern weren’t on equal terms with Los Blancos, as Kimmich stressed. It was mostly little details that made the difference – and also a bit of luck. Such as on the German record champions’ last visit to the Spanish capital in May 2024, when they led for a long time but were knocked out after two late Real goals.

However, the Bayern team of today is a different one to two years ago – and, importantly, is travelling to Madrid without injury worries this time. “This year we don't have any injured players, which has often been the case when we've played here. We're really pleased that everyone's on board now,” highlighted Kimmich.

In an exlusive interview, Leon Goretzka looks ahead to the upcoming meeting in Madrid:

Their strong performances this season also give the Bavarians belief that now it could be their time. Having gone 13 games unbeaten in all competitions – winning 11 of them – Vincent Kompany’s side have every reason to be confident. As well as that, the last-minute drama at Freiburg at the weekend, where FCB turned a two-goal deficit into a win with two goals in stoppage time, gives the team the feeling of being able to overcome any obstacle. Even an away match at Real Madrid.

“The boys have put themselves in a situation where we can travel there with confidence, with the necessary humility that the Bernabéu and the opponents always demand,” board member for sport Max Eberl told journalists at the airport. “But we're looking forward to it, with a healthy tension. It's just about doing what we can do - and that's a lot. We've acquired this confidence." Coach Kompany echoed those sentiments: “It’s perhaps the most difficult game you can contest away from home, but we want to win.”

The pre-match facts:

Opponents: Real Madrid

While Bayern go into the first leg with the momentum from the last-minute success at Freiburg, Madrid suffered a significant setback at the weekend. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side lost 2-1 at RCD Mallorca courtesy of a stoppage-time winner, ending a run of five straight wins in all competitions – including the two round of 16 legs against Manchester City (3-0, 2-1).

Nevertheless, it’s hard to talk of calmness at the Spanish giants, who parted company with coach Xabi Alonso after just seven months in January and are seven points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga. The Champions League appears to be their last realistic shot at silverware this season.

Form, squad and more – Madrid profiled:

In the league phase of the Champions League, Los Merengues looked to be on course for a long time, but on a dramatic final matchday, a 4-2 defeat at Benfica – including a goal from goalkeeper Anatolij Trubin in added time – saw them slip from third to ninth, meaning they had to go through the play-offs. There they met Benfica again, but this time Madrid came out on top. Real were more comfortable in the round of 16, where the tie against Manchester City was virtually wrapped up already after a clear win in the first leg at the Bernabéu.

Now another big test awaits the record European champions. Coach Arbeloa highlighted Bayern’s strong form in his press conference on Monday. “We know what challenges they'll pose us on the pitch,” said the 43-year-old, promising a “great Champions League night”. Forward Vinícius Júnior, meanwhile, predicted a “hard game” but stated that his team are “ready and confident... With the support of our fans we can beat Bayern. We need the Bernabéu from the first to the last minute."

Team news

Kompany has practically a full squad at his disposal for the meeting at Real. Harry Kane, who sat out the trip to Freiburg because of an ankle problem, travelled to Spain on Monday. Only Sven Ulreich (muscle tear) is absent.

The hosts are still without first-choice keeper Thibaut Courtois (muscle injury) and Rodrygo (cruciate ligament tear). Defender Ferland Mendy took part in the final training session on Monday following a muscle injury.

Watch memorable clashes between Bayern and Real Madrid in full with FC Bayern TV PLUS:

What the coaches say