The Champions League quarter-final first leg between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will be played under a closed roof – a decision that could play a crucial role in the contest.
On Tuesday night, Los Blancos welcome Bundesliga leaders Bayern to the Santiago Bernabeu in what is expected to be a mouth-watering contest between two of Europe's elite.
It has been a tense build-up to the game. This week, the club posted an image from their Champions League semi-final victory over Bayern in 2024, a win that took place when the Bernabeu's roof was closed.
For context, Madrid must get approval from UEFA if they want to close their retractable roof for European fixtures.
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However, Bayern clearly caught wind of their intentions and 'expressed concerns' to UEFA about playing indoors, according to Spanish publication AS.
The German side were reportedly concerned about the amplified sound, as well as the intense atmosphere, that can be created when the roof is closed, but UEFA have seemingly overlooked those complaints.
With the roof closed, Madrid see it as the perfect way of creating an intimidating atmosphere.
"With the roof shut and the noise contained, the Bernabeu is poised to become an echo chamber, one designed to give the home side every possible edge on one of the sport’s biggest stages," said the above report.
UEFA have previously allowed the club to close the roof for Champions League matches against Arsenal and Manchester City.
Former manager Carlo Ancelotti was a big fan. "Acoustically, it's different... there's more noise, a much better atmosphere," he said. "That can encourage the team to be even more motivated."
The situation is different in La Liga, where the decision lies with Real alone. However, the club must decide in advance of any fixture and cannot open or close the roof in the middle of a game.
Former Bayern player says Real Madrid are 'the most unlikeable club in Europe' ahead of Champions League game
Markus Babbel, who played for Bayern between 1994 and 2000, was asked for his thoughts on Real Madrid coming into Tuesday's game in the Spanish capital. It's fair to say he did not hold back.
"Real Madrid is the most unpleasant club in Europe and it would be great if Bayern went through," he told Sky90.
"Their behaviour in recent years is, in my opinion, extremely unsportsmanlike. It has nothing to do with fair play anymore, and I get the feeling that they think they are superior to others, that they see themselves as better than everyone else."
"That irritates me a great deal," added Babbel. "It makes me feel a total dislike for them."
Topics: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Champions League
Jack Kenmare