Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel intervenes drastically against Real Madrid

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel has not made room for and in his line-up for the return against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Both Germany internationals had a starting place in the return last week, but have to hope for a substitute on Wednesday evening in Madrid. Goretzka and Müller are replaced by and , respectively. Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui do have a starting place.

After the 2-2 draw in the first leg, Bayern Munich must work hard to qualify for the final of the Champions League at the expense of Real Madrid. A win at the Santiago Bernabéu would be a very impressive achievement and in an attempt to achieve that, Tuchel is changing his line-up in several positions compared to last week. For example, Min-jae Kim, the schlemiel last week, is not there in Madrid at all. The South Korean is replaced by De Ligt, who had to miss the first leg due to an injury.

The biggest surprise, however, takes place in midfield. Not the experienced Goretzka, who has been a Bayern Munich player for almost six years now and is also a regular face in the national team, but the twenty-year-old Pavlovic forms a pair with Konrad Laimer in midfield. Pavlovic only has two Champions League matches to his name, so Tuchel seems to be taking quite a risk. In addition to Goretzka, Müller has also lost his starting place. Gnabry had to make do with a substitute appearance last week, but is now fit enough to start. He forms the Bavarian vanguard together with Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane.

The meeting between Real Madrid and Bayern starts at 9 p.m. The winner will face Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley, which knocked Paris Saint-Germain out of the tournament on Tuesday evening.

Bayern Munich line-up: Neuer; Kimmich, De Ligt, Dier, Mazraoui; Laimer, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane.