Real Madrid v Bayern team news: Kovacic replaces Casemiro

Zinedine Zidane has dropped Casemiro from the Real Madrid team to face Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Follow Real Madrid vs Bayern live with the AS English minute-by-minute report. 

Kovacic for Casemiro

Mateo Kovacic will take his place alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the Madrid midfield.

Casemiro has been a key part of Zidane's team this season, with Cristiano Ronaldo the only player to accumulate more minutes in LaLiga.

The Brazilian played in defence for Madrid in their 2-1 victory over Leganés on Saturday, so it appears likely that Zidane's decision is tactical rather than enforced by injury. Kovacic may line up on the right side of midfield and aid makeshift right-back Lucas Vázquez in his bid to nullify Franck Ribéry.

Elsewhere, Karim Benzema starts in attack with Gareth Bale on the bench, despite the Welshman scoring against Leganés at the weekend.

Bayern without Robben and Boateng

Bayern Munich are without Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng, both of whom were injured in the first half of the first leg in Bavaria.

Niklas Süle deputises at centre-half and Thiago and Corentin Tolisso in midfield.

Real Madrid vs Bayern teams

Real Madrid XI: Navas; Vázquez, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kovacic, Kroos, Modric, Asensio; Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema.

Subs: Kiko Casilla, Nacho, Bale, Casemiro, Theo, Mayoral and Ceballos.

Bayern XI: Ulreich; Kimmich, Hummels, Süle, Alaba, Tolisso, James Rodríguez, Thiago, Müller, Ribèry, Lewandowski.

Subs: Starke, Wagner, Javi Martínez, Rafinha, Mai, Rudy and Dorsch.