Thanks to a first half goal from Karim Benzema in the opening leg of the 2013-2014 UEFA Champions League semifinals, Real Madrid will bring a 1-0 advantage into Allianz Arena Tuesday afternoon for the semifinal against with defending champion Bayern Munich. Though moving past last season’s title holders won’t be easy, especially since the second leg will be played in Germany, Los Blancos star Gareth Bale believes his side possesses the ability to take down a talented Bayern club who have already wrapped up the German Bundesliga. Bale was only able to feature for 17 minutes in the first leg due to illness but with multiple workouts instituted to help him get back to form, the former Tottenham talent is looking forward to helping Los Blancos reach the final.
“I feel good,” Bale said when asked about his health ahead of Tuesday’ match. “After a couple of workouts I'm recovered and I hope to play tomorrow. We are happy with the situation we are in. We will concentrate on the remaining games and try to win. When you arrive at this club you realize there are expectations. We want to win everything we play for and try to win the Champions League. It will be a very difficult match against Bayern. It will be a great battle, a tough, tough game. The match will be tight and there will be little between the teams. We hope to do our job, but it will be a fantastic game and we are 100 percent ready.”
While Bale believes the match will be highly contested once again, Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola looks forward to watching his team attempt to erase the one-goal deficit. Despite the fact that Munich has struggled at times since wrapping up the Bundesliga crown in record time, the former Barcelona coach maintains belief that his squad will not let complacency creep in, especially since this is a club fully capable of repeating last year’s celebrations following the 2012-2013 UCL Final victory over German rival Borussia Dortmund.
“Normally, when you win a title, you lose your desire and focus a little - you lose this zeal,” Guardiola said. “That is why I am so proud of my team, because last year they won everything and the coach changed and they accepted my little changes and this year we have won the Bundesliga, we are in final of the cup and semi-finals of the Champions League. “
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich: DATE, TIME & VIEWING INFO
DATE: Tuesday, April 29
TIME: 2:45pm, ET
TV COVERAGE: FOX Sports 1 / FOX Deportes
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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