The last visit for me to the Santiago Bernabeu was in 2010 for the Champions League final between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich – which saw the Special One win the trophy for a second time.
Wednesday night’s game is again about a Mourinho side once again, with an in-form Real Madrid side facing their Bavarian rivals once more in a semi-final of the Champions League – hoping to stop the visitors reaching the final in their home ground next month. Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes on the other hand returns to the place he brought back the European Cup - after an absence of 32 years – when he was coach to Madrid in 1998.
This week though Heynckes plan is to recoup the trophy for Bayern who last won title in 2001 at the San Siro and arrives protecting a 2-1 victory secured in Munich last week. Which could prove a long night as Real Madrid are the sharper looking team at the moment, boosted no doubt by that win at the Camp Now on Saturday night against Barcelona.
Regardless the Bavarians are well equipped for the match, not least being the industry and energy of Franck Ribery – who missed that 20102 final – who is ready to add to the goal scored at the Allianz Arena in Munich. His efforts will be ably supported by Dutchman Arjen Robben, who also has the ability to settle matters with that deft left foot, as proved over the years at Chelsea and Real Madrid during his time at those two clubs. Having played a scoring role over the past two seasons at Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League, the stage is set on Wednesday night for him to do the same again.
With back up from Phillip Lahm down the right flank it should see Munich create chances and test Madrid keeper, Iker Casillas.
In the first leg Lahm’s attacking threat was evident – and the source of the second goal – and so Mourinho must have a plan in mind to counter that clear threat.
Presumably Schweinsteiger will play in midfield even though he was one of the few players from the first leg who saw action over the weekend against Bremen. After missing four months of the season through injury the added game time can only be good for the German international. The competition to join Luiz Gustavo in the middle of the park may then be between Tony Kroos and Thomas Muller.
But with only five goals this season Bastian Schweinsteiger is short on the form of recent seasons and may not make the starting eleven.
Real Madrid will remain unchanged in midfield with the German international duo of Sammi Khedira and Mezut Ozil keen no doubt to put one over Bayern Munich. Alongside Xabi Alonso they will provide the support and service for the strike force of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
For Bayern the threat of a revived Benzema – who likes to play just off the last defender – and the record goals scoring force that is Ronaldo this season marauding down the left side, the minds of Bayern defenders Lahm, Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng and David Alaba will be truly occupied. The added difficulty is that all four are one just booking away from missing the final – which may affect their approach on the night.
No doubt making it an even trickier night for keeper Manuel Neuer, who has lost some of that invincibility since he made the move from Schalke 04 to Munich
Whether Kroos or Mueller get the nod is the one doubt in my mind for Bayern as both have shown ability throughout the season. Kroos in particularly enjoying being reunited with Jupp Heynckes.
Both are also one card from missing the final
.
But it is the skills of Mario Gomez up front that have increasingly impressed and could prove a big test for Madrid defenders, Pepe and Sergio Ramos. With good service Gomez could prove the match winner again - as he did last week in the Allianz Arena when he struck in the 90th minute. A headache for Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrao – who also are on yellow cards.
However it might be the Madrid away goal that weighs heavily on Munich and instills a bit of fear given that the first leg showed that on any given night little separates the teams.
History also shows that the winners of the Champions League are usually the teams that gather momentum, added form or sharpness, towards the end of the season and emerge as obvious winners. This year Real Madrid look like that team as last Saturday may have proved as Mourinho secured a win that has eluded the club in seven previous clashes with Barca.
Even Ronaldo seems more inclined to work through games under Mourinho this season, than was evident in the past, as too often he was an absentee on the big occasions for club or country.
With Benzema on form, and back in favour, he looks more the player that scored for fun during his last season at Olympique Lyonnais a couple of seasons ago.
If you add Mourinho’s record in the competition and the manner in which his Inter side neutralised the Bayern threat two years ago, it all adds to a win for the home side. On the other hand Bayern are very motivated about a final at the Allianz and an early goal in Madrid might set them on their way.
Although Bayern have 11 wins to Madrid's six from the previous 19 meetings, at home Real have only ever lost twice to Bayern.
With Ronaldo on 54 goals this season, the last of which was Saturday, a home win is my tip and hard to see beyond that given the added atmosphere at the Bernabeu on the night.
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