Real Madrid are 180 minutes away from claiming a third successive Uefa Champions League title, which would smash their earlier record of winning the coveted trophy twice in a row last June.
The Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Los Blancos are seen as top favourites, but former Ivory Coast player Marco Zoro believes the team that emerges from the Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid home and away ties would likely win this year’s Champions League.
“At this stage of the competition, all the teams are good enough to go through. However, I think the winner of the competition will come from the Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid pairing,” Zoro told Goal.
“Real Madrid have the best chance, that is if they can surmount the Bayern Munich hurdle. I am afraid of just one thing with the German side. Not the players or their style of play but their coach. Jupp Heynckes is a gem. He can singlehandedly stop Real’s progress in the competition.
“Forget about home advantage here. Both teams can perform anywhere. But I seem to sense more hunger for the title on the side of Real Madrid. That could also help. They can’t afford to finish the season without a trophy. Bayern are already Bundesliga champions. Real would likely not catch up with Barcelona in La Liga. So, I think, they would put up a stronger fight in both legs.”
The Uefa Champions League is a very popular competition in Africa. Each of the four remaining teams have fans on the continent, mostly Real Madrid. But that doesn’t mean Ronaldo and Co. would have all of them on Wednesday night, according to the 34-year-old, who now plays for Greek club Asteras Amaliada FC.
“Real Madrid is the most popular club in Africa, but Bayern Munich would have almost all of FC Barcelona fans behind them because of the rivalry in Spain, which is logical in football. Barca fans would be happy if Real fail to win any title this season.
“But that would have no impact on the game itself. Both teams have good goalkeepers, good defenders, as well as sharp forwards, but I think individualism could favour Real,” he said.
However, what could be the final score if one would attempt to blindly predict? Zoro says it would be absurd to give predictions in a Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid clash.
“Nobody can do any reasonable prediction. It would be a complete madness to do so. We don’t know what will happen. Both teams are equal in strength and experience. All I can say is that the more determined side on the night would carry the day.”
Bayern Munich will host the first leg on Wednesday April 25, with the return fixture taking place in a week’s time at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.