Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm feels Real Madrid are evenly matched with his side as they prepare to go head-to-head in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
The German Bundesliga champions romped to the domestic title this season and are now aiming to become the first team to defend their Champions League crown this season.
A two-legged semi-final date against Carlo Ancelotti’s side awaits and the fact the two sides needed a penalty shoot-out to determine who progressed to the final when Bayern came out on top in the last-four showdown two years ago, Lahm is warning his team-mates they will need to be firing on all cylinders.
“On Wednesday we’ll show we’re always up for it in the important games, but it’s still 50-50,” he said.
“I am sure that everyone will put in a top performance on Wednesday because if they don’t we have no chance.”
Related: Lahm wary of improving Gunners
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, who has a good record in Madrid having won five and drawn one of his six previous visits with former club Barcelona, is set to have a full squad to pick from except for former Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
However, Real are also poised to have a full complement of players to pick from, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who has missed their previous four games because of a knee injury, while Gareth Bale is set to shake off a bout of ‘flu to feature.
Bayern Munich are 2.89 to secure a first leg win in Spain, while Real Madrid are 2.35 and the draw is 3.35.
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