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Real Madrid Versus Bayern Munich UCL Preview And Lineup: Ancelotti Makes Huge Tactical Jig

Tom Sanderson
Senior Contributor
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
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Real Madrid and Bayern Munich face off at the Bernabeu in a Champions League semifinal second leg clash on Wednesday, in what is each side's biggest game of the season so far.

After the overachievers beat Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, the chance to meet Borussia Dortmund in the Wembley final come June 1 is on the line here.

Bayern wants to repeat an all-German decider against its biggest domestic rivals at the same location in 2013, which it won.

While on the other side of the ball, 14-time record holders of the big-eared trophy Madrid would like the chance to get revenge after a then-Robert Lewandowski-led Dortmund side thrashed them in the semi-finals that 2012/2013 season to set up a date in London with the Bavarians.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, head coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "We are very excited, because we have a great opportunity to reach a final, but always taking into account the difficulties we may encounter. We are very motivated and we will try to do better than them tomorrow."

"As clubs we are similar, we said it in Munich. They have a great tradition, history and a lot of success in the Champions League. We respect each other and it's only right that we do. In a semi-final you have to respect your opponent and also because they did better than us in the first leg," he then added, nodding to a 2-2 first leg draw in the Allianz Arena last week.

As already explained, Ancelotti has had one major doubt about his first XI.

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It entails where Aurelien Tchouameni will play, but this appears to be in a double pivot with Toni Kroos.

This allows Nacho to partner Antonio Rudiger in defence, where along with Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal they will protect Andriy Lunin's goal.

The rest of the midfield is completed by Rodrygo and Fede Valverde, as Ancelotti makes a huge tactical jig.

The development means that the Brazilian starts on his preferred left wing, while Vinicius Jr. looks to be a loan striker on paper with Jude Bellingham just behind him as an attacking midfielder or a false 9.

Real Madrid First XI Vs. Bayern Munich: Lunin; Mendy, Nacho, Rudiger, Carvajal; Tchouameni, Kroos, Rodrygo, Valverde, Bellingham; Vinicius

Tom Sanderson
Tom Sanderson
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