Leon Goretzka has likened Bayern Munich to a “locomotive” before the Bundesliga record-breakers start their Champions League quarter-final second leg with a 2-1 lead at home to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Midfielder Goretzka scored Bayern’s second goal in their 5-0 win at St. Pauli on Saturday, ensuring Die Roten have found the net on an unmatched 102 occasions in a German top-flight campaign with five games to spare.
“We just want to keep it rolling,” added Goretzka, via Bayern’s website. “It’ll still be a huge challenge against Real Madrid.
“We’re playing at home, where we feel very comfortable and the opponents usually don’t. We’ve put ourselves in a good position, but there’s still work to be done.”
Madrid’s engine has spluttered with a three-match winless run, losing at Mallorca and drawing at home to Girona in La Liga either side of that first-leg defeat.
Kylian Mbappe replied against Bayern with the Champions League top scorer’s first club goal since February 8 and head coach Alvaro Arbeloa says his side will need an “enormous effort” to turn the tie around.
“I want my players to believe,” said Arbeloa. “That’s all I want. I’m convinced that the 25 of us going there will believe we can win and rise to the occasion.
“In Munich, they are convinced that, with the advantage they have and playing at home, they are favourites.
“But they will face white shirts, a round badge, and I’m sure we’ll put up a strong fight.”
The winners of the tie will face Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals. Those teams meet in their quarter-final decider at Anfield on Tuesday (20:00 BST), with PSG leading 2-0 from the first leg.
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid team news
Lennart Karl scored a 99th-minute winner for Bayern at Freiburg in their Bundesliga match preceding the first leg, but the 18-year-old Germany newcomer is out with a hamstring injury, as is goalkeeper Sven Ulreich (groin).
Winger Serge Gnabry (knee) is a doubt. Manuel Neuer, Konrad Laimer, Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano will incur suspensions in the competition if they are booked.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (hamstring) and winger Rodrygo (knee) are sidelined for Madrid, who have midfielder Aurelian Tchouameni suspended.
Alvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are each a caution away from bans.
