Real Madrid faces Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League: Broadcast details, start time, live streaming options, officiating, injury updates, and team information.

One of the most significant rivalries in European football is set to continue as Real Madrid welcomes Bayern Munich to the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening for the initial leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matchup.

This match marks the 29th meeting between the two teams, making it the most frequently contested fixture in UEFA competition history, and it promises to be an exciting encounter with considerable implications for both clubs.

Real Madrid’s manager, Álvaro Arbeloa, acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating to UEFA.com: “Bayern are among the most formidable teams in Europe due to their style of play and the quality they possess. As we always say: to become European champions, you must defeat the best.”

This sentiment was echoed by Bayern’s head coach, Vincent Kompany, who remarked to UEFA.com: “Every club dreams of these matches. We hold a significant respect for Real Madrid; we recognize the caliber of the club. Naturally, you need to bring your own confidence. As a neutral observer, I would watch it.”

Here’s everything you need to know regarding the match.

How to watch

The match will be available for viewing on Tuesday via HBO Max and Prime Video in the UK, Paramount+ in the U.S., SonyLiv in India, and Stan Sport in Australia. Additionally, you can follow ESPN’s live coverage here.

Key Details

Kick-off time: Tuesday, April 7 at 8 p.m. BST (3 p.m. ET; 12:30 a.m. IST and 5 a.m. AEST)

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Referee: Michael Oliver (England)

VAR: Jarred Gillett (England)

Injury News

Real Madrid

Thibault Courtois, GK: OUT, thigh
Ferland Mendy, D: DOUBT (back in training)
Dani Ceballos, M: DOUBT, thigh
Rodrygo, F: OUT, knee

Bayern Munich

Sven Ulreich, GK: OUT, muscle
Harry Kane, F: DOUBT, ankle

Talking Points

Kylian Mbappé vs Harry Kane

13 goals vs 10 goals in the Champions League (ranking first and second in the UCL golden boot race). 23 goals vs 31 goals in their respective leagues (ranking second and first in the European golden shoe race). The matchup between Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane has been a showcase of goal-scoring prowess this season, and they now meet with significant stakes involved.

Both players are eager to secure the Champions League title; both are vying for the golden boot that the winner will likely claim; both seek the kind of prestige that comes with excelling in a major match… and both are slightly uncertain for this fixture.

Mbappé is less of a concern, having played over the weekend against Mallorca — even if he did not appear fully fit — while Kane has been sidelined for the last two Bayern matches due to an ankle issue. From a neutral perspective, there is hope that the clash between Mbappé and Kane will be the highlight of this prominent matchup.

Fede Valverde is key

That said, the actual headlines may be influenced by a player who excels in any position on the field. Federico Valverde embodies the spirit of a Real Madrid supporter on the pitch: a big-game performer, reliable in crucial moments, capable of scoring, covering an entire flank independently, and displaying relentless energy… as demonstrated against Manchester City, when he is on form, he is difficult to contain. Against a dynamic Bayern side, his vigor and influence will be essential for the home team.

Old Liverpool mates Díaz vs Alexander-Arnold

This is particularly relevant given the potential developments behind him. Trent Alexander-Arnold will face off against former Liverpool teammate Luis Díaz, and if the Colombian maintains his recent form, it will be a challenging task for him.

Díaz has thrived since joining Bayern this season, netting 22 goals across all competitions (four in the UCL) and providing 18 assists (three in the UCL). His speed, directness, and readiness to challenge a fullback have introduced a new element to Bayern’s left-side attack, and he will be difficult to stop come Tuesday night.

Valverde played a crucial role in assisting Alexander-Arnold in containing Jérémy Doku over two legs in the previous round, and a similar dynamic is expected in this quarterfinal.

Contrasting league results will add extra fuel

Bayern achieved a remarkable comeback this weekend, scoring three times after the 80-minute mark to secure a 3-2 victory away at Freiburg. This included a last-minute winner from wunderkind Lennart Karl, and he — along with his Bayern teammates — will be eager to capitalize on that adrenaline-fueled win. They maintain a nine-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga, and the confidence gained from winning despite a lackluster performance will be vital.

Conversely, Madrid enters this match following a last-minute defeat to Mallorca, a result that can demoralize even the strongest teams. They also witnessed Barcelona secure a victory against Atlético Madrid, allowing Barça to extend their lead to seven points in the league, and Álvaro Arbeloa is acutely aware of the significance of the Champions League in his efforts to ‘salvage’ the season.

For a club deeply invested in the European Cup, their domestic struggles only add more urgency and determination… and this is precisely the type of Madrid team that others find challenging to confront in this competition. Especially at the Bernabeu, where the legendary atmosphere can secure victories for the home side even before the match begins.

What do the numbers say?

• No two teams have faced each other more frequently in UEFA competition than Real Madrid and Bayern, with the teams meeting 28 times — all in the European Cup/Champions League. The Spanish club leads the head-to-head record with 13 victories to Bayern’s 11, along with four draws.

• Madrid’s performance in European Cup quarterfinals stands at W33 L7. This is a stage they dominate — in fact, last season’s loss to Arsenal ended a streak of 12 consecutive wins at this stage.

• Madrid has triumphed in 12 of their last 14 Champions League knockout matches. They have also lost only one of their last 25 UEFA home games against German teams (W19 D5).

• In contrast, Bayern has suffered defeats in four of their last five Champions League quarterfinal matches.

• Madrid has won the last four UEFA two-legged encounters between the teams, most recently achieving a 4-3 aggregate victory in the 2023-24 Champions League semifinals. They have also won all three previous European Cup/Champions League quarterfinal matchups against the clubs (1987-88, 2001-02, and 2016-17).