Real Madrid face stern test against Bayern Munich

Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo will look to rekindle some of the magic they once served up under Carlo Ancelotti when they face their old coach in the latest edition of Real Madrid's rivalry with Bayern Munich.

Real's 'BBC' enjoyed one of their most productive nights under Ancelotti the last time they were at the Allianz Arena, running riot in a 4-0 win to inflict the heaviest ever defeat on a side coached by Pep Guardiola. The trio have more recently been blamed by the Spanish media for Real’s unconvincing attacking displays this season, however, with the team relying on others, not least Sergio Ramos, for goals.

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. And with former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, Bayern are at their best to win the Champions League since claiming the last of its five titles in 2013.

The Italian, who led Madrid to their 10th European Cup title in 2014 after claiming two with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007, has steered Bayern to a comfortable position this season.

Bayern have a 10-point lead in the Bundesliga, where it is all but sure to claim a record-extending fifth straight title; they have a German Cup semi-final match at home against Borussia Dortmund, who they also beat 4-1 in the league on Saturday.

In contrast to the three previous seasons under Guardiola, Bayern are almost at full strength for the crunch games to come, testament to the 57-year-old Ancelotti’s man-management and the conditioning work of his coaches – this despite a number of injuries.

Top scorer Robert Lewandowski should be able to start, despite being forced off with a shoulder injury against Dortmund this week.

Games between the most successful clubs from Germany and Spain have thrown up plenty of violent scenes in the past, from Bayern goalkeeper Sepp Maier breaking Roberto Martinez's nose in 1976 to Juanito stamping on Lothar Matthaus's head in 1987.