BAYERN CAN TURN IT UP BUT ALL MADRID NEED ARE A FEW AWAY GOALS TO MAKE IT VERY EXCITING IN THIS SEMI-FINAL

Bayern have the players, the skill, the coach and the experience to turn it all around and GET BACK INTO ANOTHER FINAL. It would be a THIRD FINAL in like two seconds? HA! But seriously, Bayern can do it but Pep will have to think long and hard about how to stop Madrid from scoring. THAT is the main issue at hand. Bayern can score against those two jokers called Pepe and Ramos, but it's all about completely shutting out Madrid.






For Pep to do this, HE NEEDS RIBERY to come alive. The Rib-Eyed Frenchman is so important in the way that Bayern cut teams open and produce chances. If he's not at his influential best, Bayern just don't have that sex that they had last year. For Ribery to get more of an impact, it's a case of introducing more of a direct-play tonight BUT Pep needs to infuse Franck with confidence and the belief that he can show how good he is and how he can pretty much be the deciding factor in the game.

There is also the issue of whether to play Rafinha or not, but HONESTLY, keep it simple. Bart Simpson should go back to his usual position and allow Martinez to do the dirty work in the middle of the pitch against players that he knows very well.

Bale.

He has already shown why Madrid bought him by that WINNING goal to defeat Barcelona. But THIS is the grand prize and the trophy that Madrid have been craving. Bale has the skill and the moves to set the pitch alight tonight. HE is the dude that makes me REALLY believe that Madrid can do it.

But this is Bayern. They know that it's HERO-TIME now, and I just have confidence that the players will hone in and use all their knowledge, experience and skill to nullify the threat that Bale can pose and really defensively be astute. If they are not and they give Bale space, then that's where we may have a few problems.

Whoever scores first will most likely come out victorious. If Bayern get that first goal, they may then raise their game and finish off the job. I see Bayern scoring first, then maybe some dramatic turn of events that will leave Madrid a man-down and the Germans winning 3-1. This should be a REALLY good match and I just can't wait to see how it will all end up. As good as Bale is.....there is a certain Robben Hood who is ADDICTED to getting the goals needed in matches like these.


HH