Bayern Munich vs. Atletico Madrid in Champions League 2016 Semifinal Could See Munich Finally Break Spanish Curse After Losing 1-0 in First Leg
Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid renew their Champions League semifinal bout on Tuesday with the action shifting over to Germany. The game gets started at 2:45 p.m. ET.
Munich's Spanish Hex Remains
For the Bavarians, home field should be something to cherish, as the team has procured 14 wins, one loss and one draw in the Bundesliga and a whopping record of five wins in five games in this year's Champions League. Moreover, Munich has scored a total of 19 goals across those five games, including a 4-2 win over Juventus in the last round.
But there is one particular horror story that looms large. Back in 2014, Munich, the then-defending champions, returned home after losing 1-0 against Real Madrid in Spain's capital. Many expected Munich to turn the tie around and advance to the finals yet again.
But fate saw things a bit differently. Munich was down 3-0 by half-time, looking completely outplayed by a Madrid side that counter attacked Pep Guardiola's players to death. The 4-0 final was a huge embarrassment for Munich and the team has seemingly been unable to break the Spanish hex since.
A year ago, the semifinal saw Barcelona runaway with a 3-0 win at home before losing 3-2 in Munich for the second leg. And this year, Munich suffered a 1-0 loss in Madrid against this very Atletico side.
The team should make a comeback at home, but the team has struggled thus far in the knockout rounds only winning two of five matches; two were draws and the other was a defeat last week. Moreover, Munich's offensive prowess has been stifled with the team scoring six in the round of 16, three in the quarterfinals and no goals to start the semifinals. Defense, which was a Munich trademark thus far this season, has also dissipated with the team conceding seven goals in five knockout games thus far; the team had only conceded three goals in the entire first round of the tournament and 15 goals in 32 Bundesliga encounters.
Atletico Madrid's Successful Journey
Atletico Madrid must be on a high right now knowing that a 0-0 draw away is enough to launch the side into its second final in three years. Atletico made the herculean climb in 2014 after dispatching the likes of AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea and was just seconds away from being crowned champions. But Sergio Ramos' header saved Real Madrid's season and essentially turned the tide in a dominant way.
Last year's trip was cut short by Real Madrid as well in the quarterfinals while this year's team has shown tremendous resilience, taking down PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona to come one game from the final.
Prediction
Atletico manages to advance on an away goal after losing 2-1.
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