Real Madrid’s bid for number 10 dealt a Bayern-shaped blow

It’s probably the final that the neutrals were hoping for but it wasn’t meant to be as European juggernauts Real Madrid and holders Bayern Munich, with 14 titles between them, will meet in the Champions League semi finals.

As a result both clubs’ odds to lift the trophy have drifted, though it’s Real’s chances which have suffered most according to Ladbrokes.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have shifted out from 21/10 to 13/5, while Bayern have slipped slightly from 7/5 to 6/4, but Pep Guardiola’s charges still remain the favourites to win the competition.

Meanwhile it’s 5/4 that Real qualify for the final and 8/13 that Bayern make their fourth finale in just five years.

The bigger winners were arguably both the teams to have avoided Bayern, where La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid drew Chelsea and as such both clubs have seen their pre-draw prices shrink.

Chelsea and Atletico can both be backed at 4/1 to win the Champions League.

For Real Madrid though, chasing that elusive tenth European Cup, they will need to banish the memories of both recent meetings against their German counterparts and overturn a poor semi-final record against them.

It’s only once in five attempts that Madrid have overcome Bayern in the last four of the Champions League.

The Spanish giants were cruelly knocked out on penalties at this stage during the 2011/12 competition after each team had won their respective home legs 2-1, while in 2006/07 the margins were again extremely tight with Bayern going on to triumph on away goals in the last eight.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo and co should be spurred on by the fact that Los Blancos’ last triumph in Europe’s top competition back in 2000, saw them oust Bayern at this stage.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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