The defending champions and the season-long favorites in Champions League got some very different news on Monday ahead of their semifinals. Real Madrid will still be missing their starting striker due to injury, while Bayern Munich’s is going to attempt to play.
Backheel Breakfast: Bayern Munich have good injury news, Real Madrid don’t
Juventus get the benefit of facing a hobbled Madrid, while Barcelona will have to see Robert Lewandowski.
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Real Madrid announced that Karim Benzema will not travel to Turin, likely meaning that “Chicharito” Javier Hernandez will get another start. However, Gareth Bale is fit, so Carlo Ancelotti could make the decision to put him or Cristiano Ronaldo up top, giving Bale, James Rodriguez and Isco a rare match together.
Robert Lewandowski was assumed out for the first leg against Barcelona, but he tweeted a picture of him in the mask he expects to be playing in. Lewandowski didn’t just pick up a broken nose last week -- he also broke his jaw and suffered a concussion.
In the news
In an interview, Philipp Lahm says no one got hurt in the last game. (Bundesliga)
Chelsea are Premier League champions and Jose Mourinho says he’ll stay as long as he’s wanted. (ESPN FC)
Manuel Pellegrini took a swipe at Mou, saying his team won in more style. (Mirror)
Newcastle are backing John Carver. (Guardian)
Now Dani Alves wants to stay at Barcelona. (BBC)
Orlando City starter Kevin Molino is out for the season with a torn ACL. (MLS)
Andrea Pirlo says he could go to MLS if Juventus win Champions League. (ESPN FC)
You should be reading
Kirsten Schlewitz on Max Allegri’s redemption at Juventus. (Soccer Gods)
Michael Caley on the value of corner kicks. (Washington Post)
James Yorke on the stats behind the week’s biggest Premier League stories. (Stats Bomb)
Fun with transfer rumors
The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.
Beppe Marotta says there are “no grounds” for selling Paul Pogba. (Football Italia)
If they lose David De Gea, Manchester United could turn to Samir Handanovic. (Mail)
Tim Sherwood wants to poach Hull fullback Andrew Robertson. (Mirror)
This weekend’s games
Chelsea beat Crystal Palace to capture the Premier League title.
Juventus clinched the Serie A title with a win over Sampdoria. (Black and White and Read All Over)
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick in a thriller against Sevilla.
Barcelona obliterated and relegated Cordoba.
Boca Juniors won the first of three Superclasicos in 11 days.
Napoli stayed alive in the top three race by crushing AC Milan. (The Siren’s Song)
Manchester City all but secured top four by beating Tottenham. (Cartilage Free Captain)
West Brom upset Manchester United, meaning the Red Devils still have some work to do.
Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey destroyed NYCFC. (Sounder at Heart)
What to watch on Monday (click for listings, all times ET)
Almeria vs. Celta Vigo (2:45 p.m.) - Almeria are only above the drop zone by one point.
Cagliari vs. Parma (2:45 p.m.) - Cagliari are nine points back of safety, so this is a must-win.
Hull City vs. Arsenal (3 p.m.) - A big game for both teams. The Gunners want to avoid a Champions League playoff, while Hull are in serious relegation danger.
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