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Bayern Munich's veteran shot-stopper Manuel Neuer declared "it's our turn" to claim Champions League glory, as his side gears up to take on fierce rivals Real Madrid in Wednesday's quarterfinal second leg.
Bayern carry a one-goal lead from last week's first leg, having claimed a 2–1 victory at the Bernabéu, though Kylian Mbappé's second-half effort means the Spanish giants head to Germany with a genuine shot at reaching the last four.
Madrid could have netted more in that opening encounter, were it not for the outstanding display from the 40-year-old Neuer, who produced a remarkable performance, pulling off nine saves throughout the match.
At the pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's clash, Neuer expressed confidence in his team's ability to secure a place in the semifinals.
He told the assembled media, "I think it's our turn," as he reflected on Bayern's progress throughout the campaign and their ambitions of lifting European football's most coveted trophy on May 30 in Budapest. Yet certain statistics cast doubt on that optimism.
Neuer's 14-Year Running Battle
The Bayern skipper, a two-time Champions League winner across his illustrious career, has a lengthy history of clashes with Real Madrid, having squared off against Los Blancos on nine occasions over 14 years.
He was instrumental as the German club knocked Madrid out in the 2011–12 semifinals, with the tie requiring a penalty shootout after both sides finished level at 3–3 on aggregate.
Neuer denied both Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká from the spot before Sergio Ramos blazed the decisive penalty over the bar—a moment that ignited a brief feud between the two players.
Since 2012, however, the story has been far less favorable for Neuer when facing Madrid.
In the subsequent four Champions League knockout-stage meetings between the clubs, Madrid advanced on every occasion, eliminating Bayern each time (in 2013–14, 2016–17, 2017–18 and 2023–24). Neuer featured in all of those ties except 2017–18, which he sat out due to injury.
Perhaps most strikingly, Neuer has never once kept a clean sheet against Madrid throughout his career. Across nine appearances, he has conceded 19 goals, averaging just over two per game.
Neuer's History vs. Real Madrid
Statistic | Manuel Neuer |
|---|---|
Games played | 9 |
Victories | 3 |
Defeats | 5 |
Draws | 1 |
Clean Sheets | 0 |
Goals Conceded | 19 |
Madrid Dreaming of 2024 Repeat
Best substitution in #UCL history? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/I4l209iCky
With Real Madrid needing to come out all guns blazing in Munich on Wednesday, that record offers encouraging reading for the away side.
Despite their dominant form this season, Bayern have managed just two clean sheets in this year's Champions League campaign—against Club Brugge and Union St. Gilloise.
Before last week's first leg, the most recent meeting between the two clubs came in the 2023–24 Champions League semifinal, which concluded with Joselu's late brace sending Carlo Ancelotti's side to the final in stunning fashion.
Neuer was culpable for the opener, uncharacteristically fumbling a Vinícius Jr. effort straight to Joselu in the 88th minute, before Madrid's unlikely savior struck the dramatic winner just three minutes later.
When asked about that memorable night two years ago, Neuer responded: "It's not about that match, because this team is different.
"Now we're playing at home and we know the result of the first leg. It will be difficult, of course, nobody needs to tell us that. But we have a lot of potential."