Football

Madrid bench Benzema and Bale as James starts for Bayern

James Rodriguez has the chance to prove a point to Real Madrid when Bayern Munich host the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Dom Farrell
25 April, 2018 23:43 IST

Real Madrid duo Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema   -  Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Dom Farrell
25 April, 2018 23:43 IST

Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale will start on the bench for Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final at Bayern Munich, for whom James Rodriguez will start against his parent club.

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line for Zinedine Zidane's European champions and will be supported by Isco and Lucas Vazquez, with the other two members of the 'BBC' attack waiting in the wings.

Colombia playmaker James joined Bayern on loan from Madrid in August and lines up in central midfield alongside Spain international Javi Martinez for Jupp Heynckes' side.

Experienced wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben both start for the Bundesliga winners, with Thomas Muller supporting reported Madrid target Robert Lewandowski in attack.

Madrid knocked Bayern out at the quarter-final stage last season, prevailing 6-3 on aggregate after extra time.