Audi Cup semi-finals: Real Madrid face Spurs, Bayern battle AC Milan
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Final pre-season preparations take place for four hopeful European clubs as Bayern Munich welcome Tottenham, AC Milan and Real Madrid to Germany for the Audi Cup, which will take place at the Allianz Arena.
Madrid open the tournament against Spurs, while Bayern battle it out with AC Milan, with the two losing sides from each clash then contesting in a third-place play-off, while the two winners take centre stage in a final showdown.
Real Madrid v Tottenham
Newly-appointed Los Blancos boss Rafa Benitez will lead his Spanish giants out against Mauricio Pochettino’s Premier League outfit Spurs and he will be aiming to clinch another pre-season trophy.
The Spaniard won the Australia and China leg of the International Champions Cup and are 11/4 with Coral to topple their English opposition by three or more goals in 90 minutes.
“The overall assessment is very positive on a tour of these characteristics,” Benitez stated after Real’s previous silverware success. “The team deserves praise for their attitude, for their good play and for the results it has picked up.
“We’re going to work hard, we’re going to show desire and we’re going to be all out to do the right things, showing common sense, and from there the quality of the players is what makes the difference.”
Spurs come into their Audi Cup opener on the back of a defeat to the MLS All-Stars, and are 7/1 to conquer the Bernabeu titans, as Pochettino desires a strong showing ahead of the new top-flight season.
Gareth Bale and Luka Modric will be familiar faces against their former clubs and the Welsh winger is 9/2 to open proceedings, while his Croatian teammate is 4/1 to net anytime against their previous employers.
Harry Kane is set to play a pivotal role in the Londoners’ campaign and the England hitman is 16/1 to bag a brace or more in Germany.
Bayern Munich v AC Milan
Pep Guardiola’s hosts are hoping to get over the disappointment of their recent Supercup loss to Wolfsburg, and the German champions are 9/4 to win in 90 minutes with both teams scoring.
Bayern were leading their recent encounter until former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner struck a late equaliser, then dispatched a last-gasp penalty to inflict a shock loss on Guardiola’s men.
“Obviously the Bundesliga, Cup and Champions League are more important but a trophy is a trophy,” a disappointed Pep Guardiola stated after the defeat.
“It’s a shame. We did well and made chances. All my players battled away and covered lots of ground. We had plenty of chances. We did everything we could to win the match, but congratulations to Wolfsburg, who also did very well.”
Serie A club AC Milan are 8/1 to cause an upset at the Allianz Arena, with new Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano 13/5 to net anytime, and former Sevilla sharpshooter Carlos Bacca 8/1 to open proceedings.
For the hosts, Arturo Vidal will want to make amends for the Supercup loss and is 9/2 to strike last, having helped Chile claim a historic Copa America crown earlier this summer.
