Painting the Bernabeu red
We are still 70 minutes from kick-off, and the Bayern fans have already made their way inside the Bernabeu.
They are not being quiet either, they are more than up for this one. The songs are flowing.
If they carry on in this vein, they won't be able to talk by the end of the night.
What's at stake...
Wow, what a gorgeous trophy.
Whenever I see photos of the Champions League trophy, I always think about how long it takes for them to polish it. It's spotless.
Anyway, this is what it's all about. Both teams are potentially 180 minutes from getting their hands on 'big ears'.
This ramps the pressure up, doesn't it?
Bernabeu roof closed
What a sight to behold.
The decision has been made to close the roof of the Bernabeu for tonight's semi-final, just like it was in the quarter-final against Manchester City.
That match proved why they do it. By closing the roof it holds in the sound, making for a more hostile atmosphere.
It's going to be extremely loud!
Are we back in 2013?
2013, one of those years that, in my opinion, is neither memorable nor forgettable.
I say ‘in my opinion’ because it was certainly memorable for both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
It was the year they faced off at Wembley in the Champions League final, which could possibly be happening again in just under a month. Well, that all comes down to tonight and if Bayern can get the job done.
I feel like I’ve been thrust back 11 years. Next, I’ll be wearing skinny jeans and will have shrunk back down to 5 feet tall. Yes, that’s how tall I was, I mean, I was 13…
Big Game Vini
Vinicius Jr, what a player!
The Brazilian winger always turns up when Real Madrid need him most, and these semi-final statistics just prove that.
Don’t forget, his goal against Liverpool in the 2022 final won them their 14th Champions League.
He is the definition of a big game player.
Good omens for Los Blancos
Bayern Munich fans, you might want to look away.
Most of the pre-match statistics are very favourable for Real Madrid. If you believe in omens, it’s set to be a delightful night for the newly crowned Spanish champions.
Madrid are unbeaten in their last eight Champions League meetings with Bayern Munich, winning six. They have also won six of their last seven home games against them.
In Bayern’s last 16 Champions League matches against Los Blancos, they have not kept a single clean sheet. It’s the German side's longest run without a shutout against any club in the competition.
I always say though, stats are there to be broken.
Bayern fans turn up in droves
Wow, it's a sea of red.
The Bayern Munich fans have arrived in Madrid in their numbers, and they all look very uniformed.
The sun is out too in the Spanish capital, it's a glorious day for it.
Bellingham vs Kane: Part II
They meet again…
While there are no English teams left in the Champions League, there are still England internationals left in it.
Jadon Sancho has already booked his spot in the final, but which of his countrymen will he face, Jude Bellingham or Harry Kane.
The England captain performed better in the first leg, scoring from the spot, despite Bellingham trying to put him off in the build-up to it.
That moment proved that no friendship can get in the way of gunning for Champions League glory. All niceties will be left behind once again when play starts at 8pm.
Which Englishman will end up on the plane back to their homeland?
Thomas Tuchel: ‘Not impossible’ to win at Bernabeu
Thomas Tuchel, Bayern Munich boss, speaking on Tuesday:
Carlo Ancelotti: ‘It could be a magical night’
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager, speaking on Tuesday:
First Leg: Bayern Munich 2-2 Real Madrid
Where does the time go, I can’t believe it has been eight days already.
We were provided with a belter in the first leg. It was a match that swung one way and then the other with both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid throwing the kitchen sink at each other.
Vinicius Jr was once again on the money for Madrid, opening the scoring midway through the first half, and in turn, silencing the Allianz Arena.
That soon changed though as the German outfit came out all guns blazing in the second half and overturned Real Madrid's lead within 12 minutes of the restart through Leroy Sane and Harry Kane.
The Bavarians looked set to take a first-leg lead to Germany, but as they always do, the 14-time winners had the final say. Vinicius Jr secured his brace from the spot to level it up.
If we get anything like we saw last week, we are in for a treat.
About last night…
Where do I start?
Well, firstly, I imagine there are a few sore heads in the Borussia Dortmund camp this morning, what a night it was for them.
The German side were exceptional last night in Paris as they ended Kylian Mbappe’s dreams of signing off from PSG with a Champions League trophy.
Dortmund defended for their lives but rode their luck too, and Mats Hummels' second-half header means they will take to the Wembley turf once again in a Champions League final.
Let’s be honest, nobody expected to see the Bundesliga side in the final. Most people thought they wouldn’t even make it out of the group stage.
Well, they have defied the odds, and it’s fully deserved. The question is though, who will they be facing?
Wembley awaits the winner
Nights don’t get much bigger than this.
After an incredible first leg in Munich, the tie is perfectly poised. The two sides really put on a show for us last week.
In a way though, it's like we have a clean slate. Now that away goals don’t exist, we can forget the first leg result. It’s going to be a straight shootout for a place in the final.
Real Madrid surely have the advantage. They are coming into the game off the back of securing their 36th La Liga title at the weekend, while they will also have the backing of a home crowd. Los Blancos also just carry the aura that they cannot be beaten, don’t they?
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich lost once again at the weekend, as their nightmare domestic campaign is nearly over.
However, Bayern have been a different prospect in the Champions League. You certainly can’t count them out of this one.
Whatever happens, this one is going to be a cracker.
All on the line in Madrid!
What is it that ABBA song again? ‘The winner takes it all’…
Well, the song certainly rings true tonight. The stakes don’t get much higher, as shown at the Parc des Princes last night by the outpour of emotion.
Both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have been here before, they know what it takes, but one of them must lose.
So, which team will line up in the tunnel at Wembley against Borussia Dortmund on June 1?
Are we set for a repeat of the 2013 final, or will Los Blancos secure a spot in the final for the 18th time in their history? We will know in four hours.
Get yourselves comfy, it's going to be one hell of a night.
Key Updates
All on the line in Madrid!