Lewandowski in fitness race to face Real

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World Cup 2010 victor Xabi Alonso, who also won the 2014 Champions League before joining Bayern, will face his ex-club for the last time before retiring in June.

And the subplots to the Allianz Arena clash are fascinating.

"This is the quarter-finals, but it sounds like a final", said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm.

There will be extra pressure on the forwards because of the absence from the Real defence of the injured Pepe and Raphael Varane, while Bayern will be missing defender Mats Hummels with an ankle problem.

Kroos's transfer from Bayern to Madrid fresh from winning the World Cup in 2014 provoked Alonso's move in the other direction and both clubs have reaped the benefits. "I know what it's like to coach Real Madrid for better or worse and I'm prepared for everything".

I'm expecting quite a physical contest here and I'd be looking at backing plenty of yellow cards, and Bayern, with the ability to handle that physical element, capable of establishing a decent advantage. There are still numerous same players there. This is a game they enjoy.

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It is the Champions League match-up we know and love. But Ronaldo has a habit of rising to the big occasion and they do not come much bigger than a Champions League quarter-final and the chance to eclipse Bayern star Lewandowski. And this is the same as Madrid.

"You see people are closer to the team and more concerned with what you are doing". "When the match comes round it is one I will want to win and he too will want to win". And this desire is stronger than the pressure a player puts himself under.

Kroos said Madrid would be able to find space to play against Bayern, adding that their style of play had changed since former coach Pep Guardiola left last summer.

Zidane and Real also have their sights set on creating history by becoming the first club to retain the trophy in the Champions League era, so with plenty on the line for both teams this tie can not be missed.

"It will be important to start the game confidently and with passion on the pitch, and try and impose our own style of play". It is about going out to win the game from the first moment. In particular, Manuel Neuer will need to be at the top of his game to keep Los Blancos at bay.

"We're ready for Real", Ancelotti, the man who led Madrid to the 2014 title with Zidane as his assistant, a run which included defeating Bayern 5-0 on aggregate in the semifinals, said as his team prepares for Wednesday's clash.