Andy West
Spanish football writer

Image source, Getty Images

They have combined totals of 700 appearances and 39 titles for Real Madrid, yet Lucas Vazquez and Nacho still somehow fly under the radar, with far lower profiles than their celebrated team-mates.

In recent weeks, however, the long-serving veterans have stepped out of the shadows to play key roles in their team's march towards another league and European double.

They both start today.

It’s time to sing the praises of Real’s unsung duo.

Read more here.

A total of nine players have played for both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Here are Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards discussing one of them - Arjen Robben - on the latest MOTD Top 10 podcast on the Premier League's best left-footed players.

Glenn Hoddle
Former England and Tottenham manager on TNT Sports

The four remaining teams have wonderful players and it is still there to be called.

I don't see a real favourite as such, probably Real Madrid have the experience and perhaps that bit of belief about themselves but I don't see them as out and out favourites.

The favourites were Manchester City and they are out.

Owen Hargreaves
Former Bayern Munich midfielder on TNT Sports

For Bayern Munich getting to a semi-final is the bare minumum really, but they have been really poor this season.

If they can now find a way to win it somehow, with Thomas Tuchel leaving, it would be truly remarkable. I wouldn't bet against them but I do think Real Madrid are favourites, especially having the second leg at home, that is a massive advantage.

Opta make Real Madrid the favourites to win the Champions League, with a 38% chance.

Bayern are third with 19%.

PSG (28%) and Borussia Dortmund (15%) play in the other semi-final.

This is Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti's 10th appearance in the Champions League semi-finals, a joint-record for a manager alongside Pep Guardiola.

The Italian progressed from five of the first nine.

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is aiming to become the first manager to take three different teams to a Champions League final.

He lost with Paris St-Germain to Bayern and led Chelsea to victory over Manchester City.

In fact he has never lost a Champions League semi-final as this is only his third time at this stage.

Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller will become the sixth player to make 150 Champions League appearances - and only the third to do so for one club.

Xavi played 151 times for Barcelona, with Iker Casillas playing 150 for Real.

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel says he is extremely impressed by Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.

Tuchel's Bayern faced England's Bellingham last season when he was at Borussia Dortmund.

"Jude is extraordinary," said Tuchel. "He was fantastic here in the Bundesliga.

"How he progressed shows the level of personality he has, it's only possible with a huge personality.

"Everyone who plays for Madrid plays with the pressure of the shirt. He plays with the pressure to play with this club and all the expectations.

"He handles it like he's never done anything else. But we are well aware of it and will try and find solutions."

Jude Bellingham will hope to do something today that he never managed during his time in Germany, beat Bayern Munich.

In his eight appearances for Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker, he drew one and lost seven - and never scored.

Michael Owen
Former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker on TNT Sports

Image source, Reuters

If you're good, you know you are good. And Jude Bellingham knows he is good. He has had an amazing career so far and the way he has developed has been perfect.

Firstly in a team like Birmingham, then going abroad and learning the ropes, then another step up to the real big leagues to one of the biggest, if not the biggest team in the world, it's incredible.

He has just taken everything in his stride. He is top class in every way.

Glenn Hoddle
Former England and Tottenham manager on TNT Sports

Jude Bellingham has so much confidence but it is also maturity. Sir Alf Ramsey said it many years ago about Martin Peters that he was 10 years ahead of his time, and this kid is the same.

To go out there and do that [walk around the pitch by himself] away from home, it is a little statement, but he has got that confidence about him. The maturity in his game and off the pitch is quite incredible for someone his age, it really is. And he backs it up with performances.

Image source, Getty Images

This is Jude Bellingham's 32nd Champions League appearance.

Only Cesc Fabregas (34) made more before turning 21.

If Real reach the final and Bellingham plays each game, he could equal that record.

Image source, EPA

England midfielder Jude Bellingham came to Real Madrid with a big reputation last summer with his £89m move from Borussia Dortmund.

But he has exceded expectations with a remarkable 21 goals and 10 assists in 36 games.

Those goals include injury-time winners in both Clasicos this season against Barcelona.

He recently won the 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year award.

Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live Euro Leagues

Image source, Getty Images

It is no offence to Ralf Rangnick and maybe it is just the cynic in me but I think he will be very happy to come to Bayern Munich for a year, maybe two.

He is 65 years old. If the job is offered to him now and he doesn't take it, it will never come again. For someone like him who grew up with Bayern as the big club in Germany and Europe, it must have been a dream for him to one day sit on that bench. I think he has to take it.

In a year's time maybe Xabi Alonso will come, maybe in a year Jurgen Klopp will come. In two years maybe someone else will be available that is not available now.

Bayern are better appointing Rangnick now for a year than someone they don't really want that will be a three or four year deal. This would be a stopgap for a year maybe two before their top choice arrives.

James Horncastle
European football writer on BBC Radio 5 Live Euro Leagues

Image source, Getty Images

What is curious about this link between Ralf Rangnick and Bayern Munich is that, since Jupp Heynckes won the Treble they have tried to go for the cutting edge in coaching.

That was the case with Pep Guardiola, they were the first club to persuade him to leave Spain. It was a bit of a surprise when he went to Bayern when Manchester United were looking for a successor to Sir Alex Ferguson.

You've since had people like Niko Kovac, Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel, guys who are if not of the same generation but were up and coming or who had recently established themselves.

Rangnick feels to me like a 'let's return to a Heynckes' style era. Let's go back to a guy who really understands German football, has managed big clubs before and can possibly help us to reset the culture.

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel says he will not allow himself to be "influenced" by a petition asking for him to remain at the club.

The petition calling for the 50-year-old to stay at the Allianz Arena has been signed by over 12,000 supporters.

Bayern announced in February that Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season.

Ralf Rangnick, the former Manchester United interim manager, has held talks with Bayern over replacing him.

"Even though this topic is good for me when they [the fans] wish you to stay, it's not something that is a priority," said Tuchel.

"It isn't allowed to be a priority. In the next 11 days it's only about football, nothing else. Whether it's pleasant or unpleasant, I don't allow myself to be influenced by it."

Bayern Munich's starting XI has three changes from their win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

There is no Mathias de Ligt in the squad, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Raphael Guerreiro drop to the bench.

In come Min-jae Kim, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala.

England captain Harry Kane starts up front, with defender Eric Dier also in the side.

Bayern Munich XI: Neuer, Kim, Kimmich, Goretzka, Kane, Sane, Dier, Muller, Laimer, Mazraoui, Musiala.

Subs: Peretz, Ulreich, Upamecano, Gnabry, Choupo-Moting, Zaragoza, Davies, Guerreiro, Tel, Pavlovic.

There are a huge eight changes to the Real Madrid side who beat Real Sociedad on Friday.

Joselu, Dani Ceballos, Brahim Díaz, Arda Guler, Luka Modric, Fran Garcia and Eder Militao all drop to the bench. Dani Carvajal is suspended.

Among those to return are Jude Bellingham, Toni Kroos, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr.

There's a return to the bench for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who has been out all season with a knee injury.

Real Madrid XI: Lunin, Bellingham, Nacho, Vinicius, Kroos, Rodrygo, Valverde, Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy.

Subs: Courtois, Arrizabalaga, Militao, Camavinga, Modric, Joselu, Ceballos, Garcia, Diaz, Guler.