Former Barcelona defender predicts Real Madrid to get the better of Bayern Munich in the UCL | OneFootball

Real Madrid have reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League this season once again. They will lock horns against Bayern Munich, which is also the most-played fixture in the history of the competition.

Madrid are pushing for their 15th Champions League trophy, which is more than double compared to the second-best team – AC Milan, who have seven.

However, beating Bayern will not be an easy task. Thomas Tuchel has proven to be a nuisance for Madrid over the last few years.

He beat them in the semi-finals with Chelsea during the 2020/21 season, and almost mounted an incredible comeback the next season in the quarter-finals, only for the game to finish 5-4.

And while Bayern have been unimpressive in Bundesliga this season, losing the title to Bayer Leverkusen, Tuchel’s pedrigree in the UCL is still intact, with his side overcoming Arsenal in the quarters despite not being favorites.

Grimaldo predicts Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich

Ahead of the game, former Barcelona star and one of the talismans of the current Bayer Leverkusen side, Alex Grimaldo had his say on the tie, predicting Madrid to have the edge over league rivals Bayern, as per Mundo Deportivo.

Clutch. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

He suggested that Madrid’s pedigree in the competition makes them the favourite over Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. “They always appear at the right time,” he added, speaking about Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The Xabi Alonso connection

Speaking during the same interview, Grimaldo was asked if he would follow Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid if the coach asked for his signature if and when he moves to the Spanish capital himself.

“If I would go with Xabi to Madrid? It would have to be seen at that time,” he had said.

“It is clear that I have a very special relationship with him, I have grown a lot as a player with him and I want to grow more with him and it is true that I would like to continue at his side, be it at Bayer Leverkusen or wherever,” Grimaldo added.

Despite his roots with Barcelona, it seems Grimaldo’s connection with Alonso is superb, and should the time come, we may see the La Masia graduate in the pearl white.