Bayern Munich are looking to end Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible scoring run and halt Real Madrid's bid for a third straight Champions League title in Wednesday's semi-final first leg at the Allianz Arena.
Record 12-time winners Real arrive with Ronaldo having scored in 11 consecutive matches in the competition, while Bayern are hoping to gain revenge for their dramatic quarter-final loss to the Spaniards last year.
Zinedine Zidane's holders edged into the last four thanks to an injury-time Ronaldo penalty against an inspired Juventus, while Bayern saw off Sevilla.
The German giants are five-time champions but last lifted the trophy in 2013 when current coach Jupp Heynckes led them to the treble of European, Bundesliga and German Cup titles.
Bayern will have to make do without left-back David Alaba, though, after the Austrian was ruled out with a thigh injury just hours before the 1845 GMT kick-off time.
The key for Heynckes' men will be stopping Ronaldo, who has scored an incredible 15 goals in this season's tournament and is closing in on his previous record tally of 17.
The Portuguese also netted five times across the two legs in last year's 6-3 aggregate win over Bayern, including a hat-trick in the thrilling second leg which Real won in extra time.
But the 72-year-old Heynckes pointed to his own team's star striker Robert Lewandowski, saying that Real should be just as wary of the Pole as his team will be focused on stopping Ronaldo.
"Cristiano has had an incredible career, but we have Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 38 goals (this season), so the question should be asked who will stop him?" he said.
The two teams head into the tie with identical head-to-head records with 11 wins each from 24 previous meetings, with a place in the final against either Liverpool or Roma at stake.
Real have dominated the rivalry in recent years, though, with their victory 12 months ago following a record 4-0 thumping of then-holders Bayern in Bavaria in 2014.
But the German champions are playing in the semi-finals for the sixth time in seven seasons, and Real know they can take nothing for granted.
"Arjen Robben, Lewandowski and Franck Ribery are three very difficult players to defend against," admitted Real right-back Dani Carvajal. "They could score with any chance."
As well as veteran wingers Ribery and Robben, Real will have to deal with 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez, who is on loan at Bayern from the Santiago Bernabeu.
But Zidane, who let the Colombian leave on a two-year loan deal last July, doesn't think he'll have a point to prove to his parent club.
"James loves to play football, so of course he'll want to play well, but not to show me or prove me wrong," said Zidane.
Real have negotiated a tricky path to the semi-finals, after finishing second in the group stage behind Tottenham and knocking out cash-rich Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 before beating last year's runners-up Juventus.
But after a disappointing domestic campaign, the Champions League represents the team's last remaining chance to win a trophy this season.
"We want to reach the final — it's our last chance to win a title this season, as it was two years ago," said Germany midfielder Toni Kroos, who played for Bayern for seven years from 2007.
"We are highly motivated to defend our title."
With inputs from AFP
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Updated Date: Apr 26, 2018 02:26:47 IST
Highlights
57` MARCO ASENSIO GIVES REAL MADRID THE LEAD
Rafinha gifts the ball to Real Madrid who spring on the counter with Vasquez and Asensio against Rafinha and Kimmich. Vasquez squares the ball to Asensio who chips the ball into the back of the net.
44` MARCELO EQUALISES FOR REAL MADRID!
Carvajal's cross into the box is headed towards Marcelo who's right on the edge of the box. The Brazilian lets go off a ripper on the volley into Sven Ulreich's bottom right corner.
28` JOSHUA KIMMICH GIVES BAYERN THE LEAD!
Brilliant counter from Bayern. Kimmich starts it and he ghosts past the Bayern defence and gets on the end of James Rodriguez's through ball. Kimmich opts to shoot instead of squaring it to Lewandowski and he beats Navas' near post. Poor goalkeeping from the Costa Rican.
02:26 (IST)
That's it from us tonight. Join us tomorrow as we bring you live updates from the Europa League semi-finals as Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid while Red Bull Salzburg face Marseille. Good bye!
02:17 (IST)
Milestone win for Real Madrid
02:15 (IST)
FT! Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
Bjorn Kuipers blows for full-time and it is Real Madrid who maintain their the recent winning streak at the Allianz Arena. Joshua Kimmich gave Bayern the lead but Marcelo equalised against the run of play a minute before half-time. Substitute Marco Asensio completed the turnaround with a goal in the 12 minutes into the second half. Bayern face a monumental task to beat Real at their own backyard by two or more goals to secure a place in the final.
02:03 (IST)
87` Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
Of all people, it's Robert Lewandowski who misses a great chance to get Bayern the equaliser. The Bayern No 9 gets on the end of Tolisso's through ball but his attempted chip is wide off the mark.
01:56 (IST)
81` Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
01:51 (IST)
75` Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
Jupp Heynckes makes his final change of the night and it is an attacking one as he hauls off Javi Martinez for Corentin Tolisso.
01:50 (IST)
71` Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has done precious little in the match so far, slams the ball in the back of the net only for Bjorn Kuipers to blow the whistle for handball from the Real talisman. Ronaldo claims the ball hit his shoulder but replays confirm that the ball hit his hand. Good finish from the Portuguese superstar though.
01:41 (IST)
64` Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
Ribery gets a great chance to level the scores after the ball lands on his feet after a shot is deflected off Carvajal. The Frenchman's powerful shot is parried away by Navas and Carvajal kicks it out of play and collapses on the ground. The Spaniard tries to play on but after Bayern win a corner, Zidane replaces him with...Karim Benzema. Lucas Vasquez moves to right back.
01:35 (IST)
57` MARCO ASENSIO GIVES REAL MADRID THE LEAD
Rafinha gifts the ball to Real Madrid who spring on the counter with Vasquez and Asensio against Rafinha and Kimmich. Vasquez squares the ball to Asensio who chips the ball into the back of the net.
01:27 (IST)
50` Bayern Munich 1-1 Real Madrid
Vintage stuff from Franck Ribery as the Frenchman takes on Casemiro on the touchline and manages to wrong-foot the Brazillian with a couple of twists and turns before firing in a low cross in Muller's path. However, Raphael Varane gets the important touch to deflect the ball away from the Bayern captain.
01:24 (IST)
48` Bayern Munich 1-1 Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo goes for goal from distance only for the ball to go out for a throw-in. Sums up his night really.
01:21 (IST)
46` Bayern Munich 1-1 Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane makes a change at half-time and it is Isco who is replaced by Marco Asensio.
01:18 (IST)
01:13 (IST)
01:12 (IST)
HT! Bayern Munich 1-1 Real Madrid
It's all square at the Allianz Arena with Marcelo cancelling out Joshua Kimmich's 28th-minute opener against the run of play. Madrid have the upper hand in the semi-final with an away goal and Bayern have all to do in the second half to take a substantial advantage to the Santiago Bernabeu.
01:03 (IST)
44` MARCELO EQUALISES FOR REAL MADRID!
Carvajal's cross into the box is headed towards Marcelo who's right on the edge of the box. The Brazilian lets go off a ripper on the volley into Sven Ulreich's bottom right corner.
00:57 (IST)
39` Bayern Munich 1-0 Real Madrid
Boos ring out across the Allianz Arena as Dani Carvajal flies into a tackle on Rafinha. Bjorn Kuipers has a word with the Real right back but doesn't book him much to the chagrin of the Bayern players.
00:52 (IST)
34` Bayern Munich 1-0 Real Madrid
Jupp Heynckes forced into making his second change and it is a huge blow as Jerome Boateng injures himself overstretching himself going for a ball. Niklas Sule comes on to replace his compatriot.
00:48 (IST)
28` JOSHUA KIMMICH GIVES BAYERN THE LEAD!
Brilliant counter from Bayern. Kimmich starts it and he ghosts past the Bayern defence and gets on the end of James Rodriguez's through ball. Kimmich opts to shoot instead of squaring it to Lewandowski and he beats Navas' near post. Poor goalkeeping from the Costa Rican.
00:42 (IST)
22` Bayern Munich 0-0 Real Madrid
Real work the ball around the Bayern box looking for an opening and it is Carvajal who gets it. He looks to play a one-two with Vasquez but the Spaniard can't control it. The ball, however, comes off Rafinha and Carvajal sends in a stinging shot at Ulreich's midriff.
00:37 (IST)
20` Bayern Munich 0-0 Real Madrid
Real get two successive corners but Toni Kroos' deliveries are easily headed away by the Bayern defence.
00:35 (IST)
18` Bayern Munich 0-0 Real Madrid
First shot on the target has been registered. Rafinha letting go from distance but Keylor Navas pouches it comfortably.
00:34 (IST)
17` Bayern Munich 0-0 Real Madrid
Real counter with a long-ball to Isco who tries to shake off Kimmich to get a shot away. He finally does but it's straight at Boateng.
00:32 (IST)
14` Bayern Munich 0-0 Real Madrid
Unlike last night's match, it has been a slow start at the Allianz Arena. Bayern have had 56% of possession so far but neither team has had an attempt on goal yet.
00:26 (IST)
8` Bayern Munich 0-0 Real Madrid
And Robben's match is over as he goes off. Thiago Alcantara comes on for the Dutchman.
00:23 (IST)
5` Bayern Munich 0-0 Real Madrid
An early concern for Bayern as Arjen Robben goes down with an injury concern. The Dutchman looks to have twisted his ankle and is shepherded to the sideline by the doctors. Thiago warms up.
00:20 (IST)
Bayern Munich 0-0 Real Madrid
Lewandowski kicks off and he creates the first chance of the match! The Polish forward puts in a good cross but Muller's acrobatic effort is unsuccessful.
00:16 (IST)
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid
The players walk out of the tunnel led by Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers followed by a rendition of the Champions League anthem. We're just moments away from kick-off.
00:04 (IST)
23:55 (IST)
Can he add to that tally tonight?
23:36 (IST)
'Lewandowski as much a threat to Real as Cristiano is to Bayern'
Jupp Heynckes says Real Madrid should worry about Robert Lewandowski just as much as Bayern Munich will be focused on stopping Cristiano Ronaldo.
23:30 (IST)
Can Real Madrid and Co spoil that record?
23:29 (IST)
23:29 (IST)
23:27 (IST)
Heynckes has the opportunity to defeat a club which he knows better than most. Not only has he defeated Madrid as a manager with four clubs, he also won the Champions League with the Los Blancos in 1998. In fact, in his 40-year-long managerial career, Heynckes has pitted his wits against six Madrid managers. Zinedine Zidane will be added to the list on Tuesday night. Click here to read Priyansh's preview of the match.
23:14 (IST)
Real Madrid line up
Zinedine Zidane starts with Cristiano Ronaldo as a lone striker with Benzema and Bale starting on the bench.
Real Madrid: Navas, Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Lucas Vasquez, Cristiano Rondalo
Subs: Casilla, Valejo, Benzema, Bale, Theo Hernandez, Asensio, Kovacic
23:11 (IST)
Bayern Munich line-up
No David Alaba for Bayern tonight but Corentin Tolisso is fit enough to start on the bench. James Rodriguez starts in midfield ahead of Thiago.
Bayern Munich: Ulreich, Rafinha, Hummels, Boateng, Kimmich, Martinez, James, Ribery, Muller, Robben, Lewandowski
Subs: Starke, Wagner, Sule, Thiago, Bernat, Rudy, Tolisso
22:56 (IST)
Hello and welcome to Firstpost's live blog of the Champions League semi-final first leg between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.