Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Monday, March 30, 2026, 3:34 p.m. / Updated Monday, March 30, 2026, 3:34 p.m.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe and former Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have spoken about the 29th and 30th Champions League meetings between the two clubs.
On April 7, the first leg of the “quarter” Real Madrid – Bayern is scheduled. The most played duel in the Champions League has come down to the confrontations between numbers 29 and 30, and Kylian Mbappe has no doubts: “We will face a great team, probably the team that is in the best form at the moment.”
Kylian Mbappe shows off his muscles in anticipation of Bayern
But immediately came the declaration of war. “If there's a team that can beat them, it's Real Madrid,” the French international told reporters on the “Telefoot” show.
In turn, in an interview with the Spanish daily AS, the former executive director of the German champions, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, said that “it will be the match of matches. The final before the final. There will be two tense matches, both the one in Madrid and the second leg in Munich”.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “In Madrid we have to reach the level of the match against PSG”
Rummenigge believes Real have bounced back from a less successful first half of the season that saw Xabi Alonso leave: “They had problems, but at the latest from the games against City they will become that team capable of winning everything if you let them.
The level we need to reach is the same as in our match against PSG in the group stage. In the first half, we played like angels, and in the second, after Luis Díaz was sent off, we became defensive giants.
This is exactly what we will need in Madrid. If the team can maintain this level, we will have a good chance of laying a solid foundation for the return from Munich. It will also be crucial to approach the match with humility and the awareness that we are facing a monumental challenge. It will be the most difficult test so far.”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says Michael Olise and Vinicius jr are not going anywhere
On the rumors that Michael Olise was being courted by Real, the former Germany international says that “these are rumors that make everyone at the club smile. You know better than anyone how the media circus works. He has three years left on his contract, so there is nothing more to say. People come to the stadium for players like him.”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge / Photo: GettyImages
Vinicius jr to Bayern? And in the case of the Brazilian, Rummenigge was clear: “Vinicius is invaluable and already plays for his ideal club. I don't think he will leave Real Madrid.”
12 winshas Real Madrid in duels with Bayern in the Champions League and the European Champions Cup. The Germans won all 12, and 4 games ended in a draw
