Bayern Munich have sent a chilling warning to Real Madrid ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter final second leg, with Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala making it clear that the German giants are ready to finish the job.
A dominant 5-0 demolition of St. Pauli was the perfect tune up. Confidence is high. The squad is at full strength. And the Allianz Arena is waiting.
“We’ll all be ready, no doubt about it,” Goretzka said. Real Madrid have been warned.
Goretzka: ‘There’s still work to be done’
Bayern lead 2-1 from the first leg in Madrid. That is a slender advantage dangerous, even. One goal for Real Madrid and the tie is level. Two and it is game over.
Goretzka knows the scale of the challenge.
“The match against Real Madrid will be a huge challenge,” the midfielder said. “We’re playing at home, where we feel very comfortable, and the opposition generally doesn’t.
“We got a good result in the first leg, but there’s still work to be done.”
The competition within the squad is fierce. Goretzka wants to start, of course he does but he knows the collective comes first.
“Of course, I always aim to start. But we have a great squad. The squad is at full strength, and everyone has to contribute, whether from the start or just for half an hour.”
That depth could be decisive. Bayern have options. Real Madrid, by contrast, look thin in key areas.
Musiala: ‘I’ve taken a step forward’
The return of Jamal Musiala to form and fitness is arguably the biggest boost Bayern could have asked for.
The young attacker scored against St. Pauli, played with confidence, and looked every bit the game changer he has the potential to be.
“I’ve felt really good,” Musiala said. “It was a good match. I’m happy with my performance. Every minute I can play is good for me.
“Today I saw that I’ve taken a step forward. I can still take many more steps, but I’m on the right track.
“I feel my foot is becoming more agile again; it’s also a matter of patience. I feel much better now. My focus is on Bayern; I want to help the team.”
That is ominous for Real Madrid. A fit, firing Musiala running at a defence that looked vulnerable against Girona? That is a problem.
Real Madrid’s nightmare scenario
While Bayern were thrashing St. Pauli, Real Madrid were labouring to a 1-1 draw against Girona. The performance was flat. The creativity was missing. And the defence looked shaky.
Now they travel to Munich needing to score at least twice to have any chance of progressing. Against a Bayern side that just put five past someone. With a full squad. At home.
The margin for error is zero.
The bottom line
Bayern are ready. Goretzka said it. Musiala showed it.
The Allianz Arena will be hostile. The atmosphere will be intense. And Real Madrid will need something special to turn this tie around.
Bayern have the lead. They have the momentum. And they have a squad that believes.
“We’ll all be ready,” Goretzka promised.
Real Madrid have been warned. Now they have to respond.
