Real Madrid has painful memories of last year’s trip to Borussia Dortmund but the Blancos will be expected to put that behind them on Tuesday.
The Spanish giants took a giant stride towards the Champions League final four by winning the first leg of their quarterfinal tie 3-0 last week.
Madrid was hammered 4-1 by a Robert Lewandowski-inspired Dortmund in the semifinal of the competition almost 12 months ago.
Lewandowski scored all four goals as the Blancos were swept aside at Signal Iduna Park in the first leg. A 2-0 victory for the Liga side in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu was in vain as Jurgen Klopp’s side hung on to secure its place in the final.
Dortmund’s chances of pulling off a stunning comeback are enhanced by the return of Bayern-bound striker Lewandowski for the second leg.
The prolific frontman missed the first leg due to suspension, but he is set to lead the line against Carlo Ancelotti’s treble-chasing side.
Lewandowski was on target as Dortmund warmed up for its crunch clash with Real by beating Wolfsburg 2-1 on Saturday, moving it closer to Champions League football next season.
Ancelotti’s side hammered Real Sociedad 4-0 on Saturday to stay in the hunt for a treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League. The win came at a cost as Gareth Bale suffered a knee wound when he was caught by defender Markel Bergara.
The Wales international may be forced out of the second leg, but Ballon d’Or-winner Cristiano Ronaldo could be back in the side after returning to training. The Portugal captain missed was rested on Saturday due to a knee problem of his own, but looks set to feature in Dortmund as he attempts to add to his record-equaling tally of 13 Champions League goals for the season.
Dortmund will be without midfielder Sebastian Kehl due to suspension, while goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller is a doubt due to an arm injury alongside a hefty list of long-term absentees that includes Ilkay Gundogan, Marcel Schmelzer and Sven Bender.
Prediction: 1X @1.80
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