Madrid bench Benzema and Bale as James starts for Bayern

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.

Tonight’s starting XI in Munich! #APorLa13 pic.twitter.com/uTmyHamYqK

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) April 25, 2018

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

A closer look at those boys wearing  this evening! #FCBRMA #packmas pic.twitter.com/JI1nzhQLEU

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) April 25, 2018