Rival watch: Three vital Bayern Munich stars doubtful for Real Madrid clash in the UCL | OneFootball

Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid is quite clearly the headlining fixture heading into the semifinal week in the UEFA Champions League.

Both teams did not have it easy entering the final four stage. While Los Blancos were forced to make it the hard way against Manchester City, the Bavarians also had to dig deep to qualify against Arsenal.

The first leg of the blockbuster fixture will take place at the Allianz Arena midweek, and Carlo Ancelotti is expected to have an almost completely fit squad at his disposal. Not everything is as rosy, however, in the German camp.

Bayern update

According to the latest update from Kerry Hau, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane are back training with the team and have made good progress in their recovery.

Sane will likely play vs Madrid. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel’s side did, however, miss the presence of three crucial players in training earlier today – Jamal Musiala, Konrad Laimer, and Matthijs de Ligt.

Musiala, Bayern’s prodigal star, missed Bayern’s win over Union Berlin and the clash against Eintracht Frankfurt through a niggle in his tendon. His participation midweek thus remains unclear.

“He can’t play. He wanted to, we really wanted him to. He had two days without pain and felt it again yesterday,” Tuchel said about the youngster earlier this week.

De Ligt and Laimier, meanwhile, played the team’s latest game but were taken off before the second half with mild injuries. They were taken off as a precautionary measure, but their continued absence is worrying for the Germans.

A polar situation

While Bayern Munich sweat over the availability of some vital players, Real Madrid head into the UCL game with momentum on their side.

Not only did the team’s win over Real Sociedad at the weekend show the quality they have on their bench but also served to show that star defender Eder Militao is ready to play a full ninety-minute shift.

In what comes as better news, Ferland Mendy, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes are all expected to be back fit and raring for the game in Munich.