Europe Champions League Semifinals - 1st Leg

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Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Bayern Munich:
Neuer; Kimmich, Kim, Dier, Davies; Goretzka, Pavlovic; Muller, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane

Real Madrid:
Lunin; Vazquez, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior

Bayern Munich will welcome Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first leg at Allianz Arena. The Bavarians were superior during the group stage, finishing first with five victories and one draw. They secured double victories against Manchester United and Galatasaray, while dropped two points in the match against FC Copenhagen in the fifth round. Tuchel's men were successful in the knock-out phase, eliminating Lazio with 3:1 aggregate victory in the Round of 16. They were also successful against Arsenal in the quarterfinals, securing a 3:2 aggregate win. But the domestic situation isn't good. After years of domination, they lost the title in Bundesliga. Coach Tuchel somehow managed to survive, but he will leave the club after the end of the season. However, a success in the Champions League could change the mutual decision. Bayern have player able to make a difference here - Harry Kane. No player has been directly involved in more Champions League goals this season than Kane. The captain of England national team will lead the line and his inspiration is crucial for the outcome of this match. Tuchel has big injury issues ahead of this match as Sacha Boey, Gabriel Marusic, Bouna Sarr and Tarek Buchmann remain long-term absentees. Konrad Laimer and Matthijs de Ligt are both rated as doubtful, as well as Jamal Musiala. Kingsley Coman will definitely miss the first leg due to a groin injury, while Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry and Dayot Upamecano should be assessed on Tuesday.

Real Madrid were one of only two teams to cruise the Champions League group stage without dropping a single point (the other were the reigning champions Manchester City). They were superior at home, but also as guests. Ancelotti's men managed to register double victories against Napoli, Braga and Union Berlin. They also knocked out Red Bull Leipzig in the Round of 16, and Manchester City in the quarterfinals. Ancelotti's men are in good form domestically too. They already won the Spanish Super Cup, while it is only a matter of time when will become the champions officially. On Friday they beat Real Sociedad as guests, courtesy of teenage sensation Arda Guler. Real go to Munich with an 18-game unbeaten run to protect, winning seven of their last eight in all tournaments. The injury situation is much better compared to Bayern, though several players are in the medical department. Jude Bellingham, who was rested for the duel with Sociedad due to a sickness bug, should start in Munich. Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy have also recovered from illness and fatigue respectively, but Courtois and David Alaba remain out injured. That means the penalty hero from the Etihad - Lunin - should continue at goalkeeping position. The problem is the suspension of Dani Carvajal due to accumulated yellow cards. He should be replaced by Lucas Vazquez.

Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid Preview:

I expect both teams to score in Munich. Bayern play at home and they will have huge support from their faithful. The Bavarians will attack from the first minute and they should score. Tuchel has player able to make a difference here - Harry Kane. No player has been directly involved in more Champions League goals this season than Kane. The captain of England national team set a new personal record for his most goals in a season. The 30-year-old has scored 42 goals in all competitions in his debut campaign for Bayern, beating his previous best haul of 41 for Tottenham in 2017-18. Kane will lead the line and I think Bayern will score. On other side Real Madrid are easily scoring and conceding goals on away matches in the Champions League. During the group stage, Ancelotti's men beat 3:2 Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, then beat 2:1 Braga in Portugal and finally beat 3:2 Union in Berlin. Real continued that way in the knock-out stage, drawing 1:1 with Manchester City at the Etihad. The only exception was the match in Leipzig, but Los Blancos scored and won 1:0.

Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.55 with Pinnacle

 

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Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint-Germain Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Borussia Dortmund:
Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Can; Adeyemi, Brandt, Sancho; Fullkrug

Paris Saint-Germain:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Danilo, Hernandez; Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Asensio, Barcola; Mbappe

After facing each against other during the Champions League group stage, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain renew the hostility in the first leg of the semi-final showdown at Westfalenstadion. Both teams had a difficult path to the semifinals. The German outfit finished first in the 'group of death' while PSG were second. Milan and Newcastle United were the remaining two opponents. The French champions were more successful in the group, winning 2:0 at home and then playing an 1:1 draw in Germany. Of course, this time could be different as the pressure will be very high. Both clubs have played in the Champions League final, but that was their maximum. What is interesting, Bayern Munich were the winners on both occasions - in 2013 they beat 2:1 Dortmund, while in 2020 beat 1:0 PSG.

Borussia Dortmund have faced the Dutch champions PSV in the first knock-out round. After they played an 1:1 draw in Eindhoven, Borussia won 2:0 at home soil thanks to goals scored by Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus. In the quarterfinals they managed to overturn an one-goal deficit from the first leg by winning 4:2 against Atletico Madrid at home. The actual form is not good, they have collected just one point from the last two Bundesliga fixtures. Terzic's men have drew with new champions Bayer Leverkusen, conceding a 97th-minute equalizer before suffering a heavy 4:1 defeat to Red Bull Leipzig last weekend. In addition, Terzic has five injury worries - Ramy Bensebaini and Sebastien Haller are definitely sidelined, while Ian Maatsen, Donyell Malen and Mats Hummels are rated as doubtful and will all be assessed ahead of kickoff. Emre Can and Maatsen have both served a domestic suspension last weekend, but they are available for selection here.

Paris Saint-Germain were better than Real Sociedad in the first knock-out round, registering two victories. Luis Enrique's men managed to win 2:0 at home and then 2:1 in Spain. However, it seemed they will be eliminated when suffered a 3:2 home defeat to Barcelona in the quarterfinal's first leg. Nevertheless, PSG won 4:1 in the reverse fixture and secured progress. Kylian Mbappe scored a brace, while Vitinha and Ousmane Dembele also found the back of the net. During the weekend PSG played a 3:3 draw at home with Le Havre, but the fans celebrated the title. Paris Saint-Germain were crowned champions for a 12th time after second-placed Monaco lost at Lyon. But the Arab owners are no more satisfy with domestic trophies, they want Champions League crown. Coach Enrique is fully aware of that fact and I think he feels a big pressure. In addition, he remain without Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa and Sergio Rico as they are injured.

Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint-Germain Prediction:

I will give advantage to Borussia Dortmund, mainly due to home advantage. Even more, PSG have never beaten Borussia in three previous visits to Germany. Terzic's players were fantastic against Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinal when scored four goals and secured progress. It is not easy to score four times against Diego Simeone's side. PSG are strong at home, but they are poor travelers - not since October 2020 have they recorded a clean sheet outside of the Parc des Princes in the competition. I expect the hosts to win here, but everything will be decided next week in the French Capital.

Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint-Germain Pick: Borussia Dortmund to win @ 2.77 with Pinnacle

 

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Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.55 with Pinnacle

2-2

 

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Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint-Germain Pick: Borussia Dortmund to win @ 2.77 with Pinnacle

1-0