Real Madrid Vs. Bayern Munich, 2012 Champions League Semifinals: Match Thread

Update, 19:56 CET: Lineups appended. Hala Madrid!!

Real Madrid host German juggernauts Bayern Munich tonight (20:45 PM EST, 2:45 PM EST) in the Santiago Bernabéu, and will look to overcome a difficult 2-1 first leg loss in the Allianz Arena in order to advance to the UEFA Champions League Final in May. Jose Mourinho's men looked set to take a very favorable 1-1 draw back to Madrid with them from Germany, but Bayern striker Mario Gomez knocked in a bouncing cross in the last minute to set the tie in the German's favor.

Now, Madrid will burn with their side, as los blancos have called on the fans to fill the Bernabéu, and have created a fantastic mosaic of Real Madrid legend Juanito--the madridista God of Comebacks--that will adorn one of the ends of the pitch at the start of play. Los vikingos need to score one goal and prevent Bayern, and their potent wing attack of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribèry, from scoring to advance to the final round of the Champions League. If the Germans score once, Madrid must score three times to advance on aggregate; if they score twice, Madrid must score four times.

Not an easy task. But it is one that madridistas everywhere believe that their side is up to, particularly after their spectacular defeat of Barcelona in the Nou Camp on Saturday.

Consider this your place to talk about the match, chime in with your fellow fans, celebrate and mourn, and generally enjoy yourself. Make sure to be respectful when addressing each other, and fans of other sides that might wander in--this is a welcoming place, and we want to project and stand for the class that our organization is known for.

We'll have continuing coverage of the match here, and you can also follow us on Twitter @managingmadrid (or me @GabeLezra) and like us on Facebook for in-game updates, thoughts, and analysis.

Real Madrid Lineup (4-2-3-1): Iker Casillas; Marcelo, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa; Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso; Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Özil, Angel Di Maria; Karim Benzema

Substitutes: Antonio Adan, Fabio Coentrao, Kaka, Raul Albiol, Jose Maria Callejon, Esteban Granero, Gonzalo Higuain

Bayern Munich Lineup (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; David Alaba, Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Phillip Lahm; Luiz Gustavo, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Franck Ribery, Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben; Mario Gomez

Substitutes: Hans-Jorg Butt, Rafinha, Diego Contento, Daniel Pranjic, Ivica Olic, Thomas Müller