Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid – Champions League semi-final: Live score, team news and updates as Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham meet in the first-leg at Allianz Arena

Oh wow, just look at the Champions League trophy shine.

‘Big ears’ is on display at the Allianz Arena tonight just to remind the two sides what they are playing for this evening.

Bayern Munich have got their hands on the trophy six times in the past, while Real Madrid have lifted it a record 14.

Will either side be the ones to raise it aloft in June?

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager, speaking on Monday:

We are confident, we have faith, and we have respect for this Bayern team. They have not played a fantastic season in the Bundesliga but against Arsenal in a spectacular match, they played very well.

Arsenal are a strong team and it was two matches that were spectacular. This shows the quality and history of this club, comparable to the history we have.

This isn’t the first time I have mentioned this in a blog this year, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich have been having a torrid time domestically this season. They have already renounced their Bundesliga title for the first time since 2012.

Not only that, they were also knocked out of the DFB Pokal by third-tier side Saarbrucken and lost the Supercup to RB Leipzig on Harry Kane’s debut.

So yeah, the Bayern fans have not been enjoying themselves. However, they are still fighting for European glory, which is their last chance of silverware.

If they lose tonight, Bayern will be staring down the barrel at a first trophyless season in 12 years. Kane won’t like the sound of that.

After beating Arsenal in the quarter-final, there is no reason why they can’t surprise serial winners Real Madrid, but it’s going to be a tough ask.

Thomas Tuchel, Bayern Munich boss, speaking on Monday:

We want to play the game in isolation, without any background thoughts. That’s important to ensure we have the freedom to play a top game. We’ll try our all to win the game. Then we’ll know how things stand for the second leg.

The job against Real (Madrid) is about getting enough people in attack to hurt them, but also not to expose ourselves. We need a good balance of discipline and freedom. Obviously, we also need some luck in the game and momentum.

This certainly isn’t the first time these two have met… far from it.

Tonight is the 27th meeting between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the European Cup/Champions League.

24 of their 26 meetings, so far, have taken place in the knockout stages, the most between two sides in the competition.

That’s not where the statistics end. Seven of those meetings have come in the semi-final stage, with Bayern winning four to Madrid’s three.

The 14-time winners have had the better of the meetings in recent times and are unbeaten in their last seven fixtures against the German side.

Anyway, I think you now get the point. It’s going to be another belter (we hope).

Fancy reading more about Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham? Of course, you do.

As I have already said, both players have been lighting up the German and Spanish leagues, respectively, and tonight they play against each other for the very first time.

Mail Sport’s Riath Al-Samarrai took a deeper dive into the heights both players have been hitting abroad before they collide tonight.

To read more, click below:

I can’t remember the last time two English players had such an impact at European sides outside their home country.

Gary Lineker worked wonders at Barcelona, David Beckham was a ‘galactico’, but Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have hit new heights this season at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, respectively.

Kane has netted 42 goals in as many games in all competitions this campaign while Bellingham has become an instant hit with the Los Blancos faithful after scoring 21 goals in all competitions so far, including late winners in both El Clasico’s.

In two months, they will undoubtedly be lining up together in hope of bringing an international trophy home for England, but tonight they are enemies.

Which player will have a bigger influence on tonight’s proceedings?

Mail Sport’s Riath Al-Samarrai has already said it, the Madrid fans’ presence in Munich is quite impressive – they are up for it tonight.

Here is the footage to go with the statement, it is quite an atmosphere they are making at the moment.

I’m hoping the noise in the stadium later will be just as good.

Riath Al-Samarrai, Mail Sport, in Munich:

Just under two hours to kick off and not known many atmospheres quite like this one. Madrid fans colonised Marienplatz station and the noise is quite incredible. Vini Jr shirts currently outnumbering those of Bellingham.

Right then, I think we should take a look at how both sides got to the semi-final stage.

Real Madrid secured six wins from six in the group stage, while Bayern Munich went unbeaten, winning five of their six fixtures. Now let’s take a closer look at their knockout stage results (we will display the aggregate scores):

• Round of 16: BAYERN 3-1 Lazio & REAL MADRID 2-1 RB Leipzig
• Quarter-final: BAYERN 3-2 Arsenal & Manchester City 4-4 (P) REAL MADRID

It’s fair to say both sides have had close calls since the group stages, Real Madrid in particular who survived an onslaught from Manchester City.

However, European pedigree pulled both of them through. They will both be hoping it can do the same over the next 8 days.

I’m not sure you need me to tell you just how big both of these clubs are.

As I made clear in the introduction, both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are clubs steeped in history, it is always expected of them to reach this stage of the Champions League.

Both sides are having extremely different campaigns. Bayern have had a season to forget, relinquishing their stranglehold on the Bundesliga to Bayer Leverkusen. All will be forgiven though if Thomas Tuchel can give them the parting gift of a European Cup.

Meanwhile, Los Blancos have been loving life under Carlo Ancelotti this year. They are on the verge of reclaiming their La Liga crown and are now the strong favourites for this competition.

That being said, it doesn’t make this tie any less important for either side. They will both be desperate to add another European star next to their name.

The stakes don’t get much higher than this, the semi-final stage is a cruel time to be knocked out of the competition – both clubs know it – which is what makes the games so fierce.

It’s going to be intense – I love it!

It’s that time again and I for one am very excited.

There may not be any English sides left in the Champions League, but the competition is still serving up some tasty ties for us.

Four teams are within touching distance of the final and tonight we start with two sides that are no strangers to being in this position.

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have won 20 Champions League titles between them, including seven out of the last 11.

They both know what it takes to beat each other and win European football’s premier competition, but who will take the first step toward their goal tonight?

Right, let’s get on with it!