UEFA Champions League Semifinal Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid

The treble dream has disappeared for Bayern as a draw against Mainz has seen them go eight points behind Borussia Dortmund with three matches to go. A rather unmotivated Bayern side took to the pitch against Mainz. They didn't really give their all in the match, but a win would have been deserved.

Bayern controlled possession and created about four clear opportunities. Ivica Olic missed the best of the four opportunities. Holger Badstuber earned a yellow card that will see him suspended for the next Bundesliga game against Bremen.

Bayern needs two points to guarantee second place ahead of Schalke. Without further ado, let's turn our attentions to the upcoming game against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid is a beast like no other—even unlike Barcelona. They have scored 107 goals in La Liga and simply looked devastating. They are looking for "La Decima"—their tenth Champions League title.

Last season they broke a curse of six years by finally advancing from the Round of 16. Their journey ended in the semis against Barcelona. In Madrid, Bayern is called "La Bestia Negra." That roughly translates to "the Black Beast."

Madrid played Sporting Gijon on Saturday. They seemed to have a few problems—and they almost resembled Bayern in their approach. While Madrid did come away with a 3-1 win at the end, Jose Mourinho might not have been too pleased on the touch-line. Madrid did have to do without Xabi Alonso, who is a major factor in their game.

This match includes many subplots. One of them is the return of Jupp Heynckes to the club which he formerly managed. Jupp won the Champions League with Real in 1998 but was sacked due to finishing fourth in the league. He is perhaps the only manager in history to have been sacked after winning a first CL in 32 years. Heynckes, meanwhile, has never beaten a Spanish side over two legs in his coaching career.

Arjen Robben returns to the club that banished him disgracefully. Robben, whenever on the pitch, put in great displays for Madrid. Even Manuel Pellegrini didn't want to let him go.

Meanwhile, Bayern found in him the perfect gem. In his first season at Munich, he won the domestic double and missed out on the treble simply due to Mourinho. Hamit Altintop left Bayern last season after four long years and will make his return as a Madrista.

Madrid has an abysmal record against German opposition in Germany. They have won just won once in 22 attempts—they beat Bayer Leverkusen in the 2000-01 season.  Needless to say, Madrid has never beaten Bayern in Munich. Overall, in 18 meetings in both Spain and Germany, Bayern has won 10, Real six, with the rest ending in draws.

The last meeting between these two sides came in 2007 in the Round of 16. One of my fondest memories of the Champions League is actually that tie. In the first leg, Madrid was cruising. They led 3-1 until Bayern's favourite captain (and the man everyone loves to hate) struck a great goal in the 88th minute.

It took Roy Makaay only 10.16 seconds to turn the tie in Bayern's favour in Munich. A second goal from Lucio assured Bayern's passage to the quarters, even though a late goal from Ruud Van Nistelrooy made for a thrilling finale. Both teams ended the match with ten men—Lassana Diarra and Van Bommel were sent off.

The referee for this match is a certain Howard Webb. Yes, I am talking about the very English man who denied Bayern a crystal clear penalty in the 2010 Champions League final, following a hand-ball from Walter Samuel in Inter's penalty area. Bayern went on to lose the final 0-2.

This time around, Bayern has the added incentive of a "home" final to increase their motivation.

Bayern has no injury concerns with the exception of Breno and Daniel Van Buyten. They haven't scored in the last two matches, and they could have done with the striking prowess of Van Buyten in desperate times.

While Bayern's attack is known to be their main weapon, their defence is no slouch either. Bayern has been shut out eight times in all competitions this season. The defence, meanwhile, has kept 29 clean sheets.

Both Luiz Gustavo and Toni Kroos were rested during the weekend, and I think they will both start. Kroos has been brilliant in the Champions League this season. Thomas Mueller has been off-form, and considering the fact that Bastian Schweinsteiger has regained some of his old form, I expect Bastian to start and for Mueller to be the first sub off the bench.

This is the team that will most likely take to the pitch: Manuel Neuer in goal; defenders Philipp Lahm, Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng and David Alaba; midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Luiz Gustavo; forwards Arjen Robben, Toni Kroos and Franck Ribery; and striker Mario Gomez.

And finally, I will make a prediction for this one. As good as Bayern can be on their day, Madrid to me seem too strong. So congratulations to my beloved team for their journey to the semis, but it all ends here.

Prediction: Bayern 1-3 Real Madrid