Real Madrid and Bayern Munich renew their storied European rivalry in the Champions league on Wednesday, with the Bundesliga champion dominating their history.
The first-leg semifinal at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium marks the 20th time the clubs will meet in the continent's top competition, and marks Bayern coach Pep Guardiola's first return to Spain since leaving Barcelona.Nine-time champion Madrid, coming off its Copa del Rey triumph over Barcelona, is looking to end a run of three straight semifinal exits to reach its first final since 2002.
The clubs have met in five European Cup semifinals with titleholder Bayern winning four of those, including when it ousted Madrid two seasons ago on penalties.Here are five things to know ahead of the opening match:
RONAlDO, BAlE SET: Cristiano Ronaldo's return against Bayern will be a game-time decision after he completed a full training session on Monday for the first time since hurting his left leg. Ronaldo, tied for the Champions league record of 14 goals in one season, was nursing a sore knee before the muscle injury sidelined him for four games. "If there is any risk of aggravating the injury tomorrow, he won't play," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday.
BAYERN INJURIES: Manuel Neuer should be fit to line up in the Bayern goal after recovering from a calf injury. The Germany goalkeeper missed the German Cup semifinal win over Kaiserslautern and the 2-0 league win at Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday but returned to running exercises last Thursday.
IMPROVEMENT NEEDED: Bayern failed to impress in Saturday's win at bottom side Eintracht Braunschweig, and was warned by Guardiola. "We won't reach the final if we don't produce two outstanding performances," said Guardiola, whose side failed to win in three Bundesliga games after clinching the title.
TOUGH CHOICES: Ancelotti faces tough choices, as midfielder Isco has been stellar in stepping in for Ronaldo. But the Spain international looks set to be sacrificed with Ronaldo's return and Angel Di Maria's continued good form. Ancelotti elected to keep Di Maria over Mesut Ozil last summer, selling the Germany playmaker to Arsenal.
'THE BlACK BEAST': Dubbed "la bestia negra" or "the black beast" by fearful Madrid fans, Bayern has come to represent a thorn in the side of Madrid. Bayern has won semifinals in 1976, 1987, 2001 and 2012, with Madrid's sole win coming in 2000.