Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich: 5 reasons why Die Roten can pull off a miracle win at the Santiago Bernabeu

Make no mistake, Real Madrid are favourites to make it to the Champions League last 4. The defending champions have a crucial 2-1 lead in the first leg and Bayern Munich need something miraculous to get the better of Ronaldo and Co at the Bernabeu.

However, football has shown that nothing is impossible and a team with the talent and class of Bayern Munich is definitely capable of pulling a surprise win in the second leg. Let us forget the fact that Bayern laboured to a 0-0 draw against 10-man Leverkusen in the weekend and see 5 reasons why Die Roten can turn this tie around at the Bernabeu

#5 “Bayern Munich know how to win”

Despite all the injury concerns, setbacks and the monumental task facing them, Bayern Munich know that they are one of the few teams in the world who can pull off the impossible. At their best, the Bundesliga champions are capable of decimating any team in the world and Ancelotti will be hoping that the likes of Robben, Ribery, Lahm and Alonso use their big match experience to good effect.

The Bayern Munich squad is full of superstars who have won almost every trophy there is to win and the belief that they could pull this off was seen by Xabi Alonso’s comments in the press conference:

"We're Bayern Munich, we know how to win."

The first step towards redemption is belief and the Bayern Munich squad along with their manager Carlo Ancelotti certainly have that in abundance.

#4 Robert Lewandowski in, Gareth Bale out

While both the defences are depleted, in the attacking sense, Bayern Munich certainly have a more complete look than the Real Madrid frontline. The return of Robert Lewandowski is a huge boost to the German giants and the Polish striker will be hoping to repeat his 4 goal heroics (during his time with Dortmund) against the Spanish side in the second leg.

Also, with the absence of Gareth Bale, Real Madrid will have to find ways to cope without their star Welsh winger. Although Isco is in prime form, there is no denying the fact that Bale will be a huge loss and the Munich backline will be breathing a sign of relief.

Both Pepe and Varane are also out and Lewandowski will be licking his lips at the prospect of coming up against the likes of Sergio Ramos and the impressive Nacho. Lewandowski is one of the best strikers in world football at the moment and anything is possible when he is on the team.

#3 Thiago Alcantara is probably the best midfielder in world football at the moment

Barcelona academy graduate Thiago Alcantara has really hit his straps this season. The Spaniard has been dictating play for Bayern Munich and he has often been the link between attack and defence for the Bundesliga champions.

The 26-year-old credited Ancelotti with getting the best out of him. Speaking in an interview with El Pais, Thiago said:

"Ancelotti has given me the freedom. More than strategy or tactics, it has been the freedom and confidence that a coach can give you. I need that because I like to analyse the game, to have tactical rigour, to read a game.

In a game full of superstar attackers, Thiago will probably be the most important man on the pitch and if Bayern Munich are to pull this result off, they will need the Spaniard to be at his creative best and split the Real Madrid defence with his incisive through balls.

#2 Ancelotti is still more tactically aware than Zidane

Zidane has been on fire ever since he took over as Real Madrid manager, but there is no denying the fact that his mentor Ancelotti is a much more experienced and tactically aware manager. While Zidane did get the better of Ancelotti last time around, one has to remember that a missed penalty by Vidal and a moment of madness from Javi Martinez played a huge role in Madrid’s win.

Ancelotti’s teams are always capable of putting on a performance in the biggest of stages and the Italian manager has the know how to mastermind this kind of challenging away performance.

Capable of adapting to different situations and tactically very astute, Ancelotti certainly has an edge over Zidane in terms of tactical nous and the veteran Italian might have a few tricks up his sleeve which could stump his apprentice tonight.

Before the first leg, I had written the same point and although Zidane did get the better of him, I stand by my point and believe that Ancelotti over two legs is more astute and tactically aware than the legendary Frenchman.

#1 One last hurrah for the Bayern Munich old boys

Xabi Alonso and Philipp Lahm. Two absolute legends of the game who have won everything in world football will be calling time on their illustrious careers at the end of the season. With Robben and Ribery well above 30, Bayern Munich’s golden generation is coming to an end and the golden oldies will be determined to end their club careers with a Champions League triumph.

On their last chance to rescue their Champions League hopes, they will be motivated and inspired to complete a stunning comeback and continue their dream of a fairytale send-off.

It will be fascinating to see how the legends of the game like Alonso and Lahm play under pressure tonight. Also, the performances of Robben, Ribery, Alonso and Lahm will go a long way in deciding the outcome of the match and the Bundesliga giants will need them to be at their best if they are to pull off a memorable victory.

It promises to be a long road back to redemption for Bayern Munich but if any team are capable of overturning such a deficit against Real Madrid after the first leg, it is Bayern Munich.

Prediction: Real 1-2 Bayern Munich (Real Madrid to progress AET)