MADRID - The last thing Real Madrid wanted was another Champions League semifinal clash against Bayern Munich, and today they will need to get the better of a familiar foe who very much appears to have their number.

Pep Guardiola, whose Bayern side play their last four, first leg, at the Bernabeu, Spain, was appointed as coach of the German champions at the end of last season after taking a year out to recover from a trophy-laden but draining four years in charge of Real's arch-rivals Barcelona.

During his time as a Barca player and coach, Guardiola seldom tasted defeat against the Madrid club, and his all-conquering team dispatched Real in the last four of Europe's elite club competition in 2010-11 before going on to win the final against Manchester United.

His coaching record against Real was an impressive nine wins, four draws and two defeats, while as a player in 14 La Liga meetings he won six, drew five and lost only three.

Despite having the statistics firmly on his side, Guardiola is too wily to take Real lightly, and he will know how desperate the Spaniards are to win the record-extending 10th European crown they have been chasing since their last continental triumph in 2002.

"Every time I have gone to the Bernabeu, as a player and as a coach, I have never in my head gone there as the favourite," Guardiola was quoted as saying in Spanish sports daily Marca.

"I have too much respect for them ... Madrid deserve a lot of respect for all their history."

Real captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who has missed the last four matches due to knee and muscle problems in his left leg, has been training hard this week, suggesting he should be able to play a part today.

"I always believe that the great players, however small the chance they have, will play on these occasions," said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"What can I say about Cristiano? He has been at that level for many years, but not just him. He is very strong but without him Madrid are also a team."

The return leg is in Munich, Germany, next week.