With the pre-Champions League semi-final draw predictions being that Real Madrid would get the perceived ‘easiest’ tie, there was a surprise when Los Blancos were pulled out of the hat to face Bayern Munich.
Though Zinedine Zidane and his squad will feel they’ve already got the upper hand, after their performance against the Bavarians in last season’s edition, it’s worth pointing out that Bayern dominated that tie for long periods and were only undone when Arturo Vidal was shockingly sent off at the Bernabeu.
Prior to his red, there were a number of bookable offences by Real players which went unpunished.
Therefore, it’s very definitely a case of ‘unfinished business’ at the Allianz Arena, and there are a couple of other interesting sub-plots to what will be an absorbing spectacle.
Firstly, someone’s treble is going to go. Los Blancos want to become the first in the modern era to win the title for three seasons in succession. Given how poorly they’ve played domestically, it’s a wonder that Real have even got this far, but it is to their absolute credit that they’ve done so.
Bayern have already secured the Bundesliga, are expected to waltz to another DFB-Pokal win.
Back in 2013, under Jupp Heynckes, a treble of league, cup and Champions League was achieved, and behind the scenes at Bayern, there is huge confidence that a similarly successful campaign is within reach.
Aside from that, Robert Lewandowski has made it abundantly clear that he wants to be playing his football at the Bernabeu next season. To that end, he even changed agents with a specific brief to ensure he is wearing the all-white in 2018/19.
Imagine the scenario for just a moment.
The tie goes to penalties and ‘Lewa’ has the deciding kick to send his side to Kiev… against his future employers. Stranger things have happened in football.
What is certainly assured is that it will be a titanic tussle between two of Europe’s biggest and best teams, and with Sergio Ramos understood not to have been punished by UEFA for standing in the tunnel area during the Juventus game, Zinedine Zidane will likely have his strongest XI available to him.
The winners will play either Liverpool or Roma in the final and will, on paper, be heavy favourites.
That’s the huge carrot dangling over them for the next 180 minutes.
Although Michael Oliver was right when giving the penalty decision in the 93rd minute in the Real-Juve game, all eyes will be on the official in this one.
Given the poor standards from Real-Bayern last year, whoever officiates this one needs to be at the absolute top of their game too.
Game on!
