Luis Figo sees Real Madrid as having a chance of overcoming the Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich, despite the 1-2 defeat suffered by Los Blancos in the first leg. The Portuguese legend believes that this would be an impossible feat for any other team, but not for a Real Madrid side that combines, in his view, the two key elements to achieve it: their enormous talent and being a memorable club.
“It’s definitely a tough tie and the 1-2 is a difficult result to turn around, but if there is a team with the greatness and quality to do it, it is Real Madrid. That’s why, despite the unfavorable result at the Bernabeu and the history of this competition, I think Real Madrid can reach the semifinals,” said Figo, who knows what he is talking about.
In his career, he has faced the Bavarians 11 times with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter, nine of them in the Champions League. He scored a goal against the Germans at the old Olympiastadion (in a 2-1 defeat), and has experienced all kinds of scenarios against this team, one of the opponents that has caused him the most problems.
From that experience, the Portuguese warns that recovering the effectiveness that Vinicius and Mbappe lacked at the Bernabeu will be important, but Figo believes there will be other keys above. “Without a doubt, efficiency is important, especially in a match like this. In addition, they play away from home and with a disadvantage in the first game. It is obvious that if Vinicius and Mbappe are effective and accurate, it will be much easier to get a positive result,” Figo begins his reflection. “But the important thing is to sustain the strength of Bayern’s attack. Not to suffer and to have, as soon as possible, control of the game,” said Betfair‘s ambassador.
For this duel, Real Madrid will go into the game with a key absentee: Tchouameni will not be able to play due to suspension. Figo knows that this is an important issue, but he believes that there are sporting arguments not to sound the alarm about this absence. “Yes, it’s a striking absence. Tchouameni is an important player in the balance of the team, but I think Real Madrid has alternatives to replace him,” he said. “Could the substitute be Bellingham? I think so. He showed in the first leg at the Bernabeu that he came off the bench very well and that he has more than enough quality to be able to be unbalancing and change the result. For me, Bellingham should always be on the pitch, it’s logical,” insisted the Portuguese.
“Olise had a great game, he has incredible quality”
On the opposite side, at Bayern, Figo highlights the quality of one of the men who most impressed the Bernabeu: Olise. “He had a great game. He has incredible quality,” he says, emphasising the word ‘incredible’. “I love him as a player. If he continues his progression, he will always be a candidate for the Ballon d’Or. He is a unique winger right now and plays for a top team like Bayern Munich. Could he play for Real Madrid? He has the quality to play for any team in the world, whether it is Madrid or another,” he concluded
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