Why Bayern will beat Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League

Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals is a match-up worthy of being the title-decider. Here’s why Vincent Kompany’s men can be confident of making it through to the last four...

You can’t keep Bayern out

Bayern have played 41 competitive games so far this season, and have scored in every single one of them. In fact, they have found the net at least three times in six of their 10 Champions League outings this term.

Furthermore, Bayern’s tally of 28 goals in the competition in 2025/26 is behind only Atlético de Madrid (29) and Paris Saint-Germain (31), with the caveat that both of those teams played two extra games by virtue of going through to the last 16 via the play-offs.

Watch: Kane on fire this season

It will come as no surprise to hear the name Harry Kane mentioned at this juncture. The 32-year-old, who has contributed 10 goals to Bayern’s cause in Europe this season, is very much the team’s talisman and underlined his extraordinary quality with a breathtaking goal against Atalanta in the second leg of their last-16 meeting.

“Harry’s incredible,” enthused Kompany afterwards. “He’s just come back from injury, and I can’t even explain his second goal. The movement - it’s unbelievable, world-class. We’re very happy to have him.”

About the players

9

Harry

Kane

FC Bayern München

Steely mentality

In previous seasons there was perhaps a sense that Bayern had a soft underbelly when it came to the crunch in Europe. Not now, though.

Kompany has his squad purring, and they have been astonishingly consistent all season with just two defeats and four draws in all competitions. The rest have all been victories.

“I’m always proud of what the boys deliver - they perform, score goals, and never stop,” Kompany said after the 10-2 aggregate win over Atalanta in the last 16. That was no mere lip service. Bayern look the real deal this season.

 And while the tactician is full of respect for Real Madrid, calling them “the best team in the history of the Champions League,” Los Merengues have looked vulnerable in 2025/26, losing three times in Europe and four in La Liga.

Vincent Kompany has calmly but steadily steered the Bayern Munich ship this season. - IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Jenni Maul

Relentless attack

Kane may be the focal point but Bayern can hurt teams from anywhere. Michael Olise has a competition-leading seven assists so far this season, a figure shared by Real’s Vinícius Júnior (who has played three games and 269 minutes more).

Luis Díaz has chipped in with four goals and three assists, Serge Gnabry has two and three, Nicolas Jackson has three of each, Lennart Karl has four and two, while right-back Konrad Laimer has three assists across seven games.

Not to mention Jamal Musiala, with two strikes in just 107 minutes of play; the Germany international should be fit and firing again by the time these games come around. 

Watch: Olise under the tactical microscope

Case for the defence

Bayern may only have kept two clean sheets in the Champions League this season, but they have also shipped just nine goals in total. That return means they have the second-stingiest backline in the competition, with only Arsenal having conceding fewer (five).

Even if Manuel Neuer does not recover from injury in time, Jonas Urbig has proved to be a reliable replacement – to the extent that he was recently called up to Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad for the first time.

Watch: Kompany on Karl and Urbig Germany call-ups

Ahead of him, the terrier-like Laimer will be unfazed by facing either Vinícius Júnior or Kylian Mbappé down Bayern’s right, while Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano form a centre-back pairing as mean as they come.

In the absence of the injured Alphonso Davies, Josip Stanišić will likely operate at left-back, with Joshua Kimmich patrolling in front of the backline. It is a proven recipe for success - and one that could well propel Bayern into the semi-finals. 

About the clubs

Bayern Munich

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