Why are Bayern Munich playing in black against Real Madrid? Why aren’t they wearing red?

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich face off in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals at the Bernabéu on Wednesday, with the winner to take on Borussia Dortmund at the final at Wembley Stadium in London on 1 June. The last-four tie is evenly poised after a 2-2 draw in Munich last week, although it will be an unusual-looking Bayern that take to the field looking for a famous win in the Spanish capital.

The reason Bayern are wearing their black away uniform against Real Madrid

The Bavarians won’t be wearing their customary red in Madrid and will instead be sporting their away uniform - black jerseys, shorts and socks with purple trimmings.

The reason is, of course, a simple one. Although we have seen Bayern predominantly play in red in recent years, this season’s home kit broke from modern tradition and is mainly white, with red sleeves. That caused some controversy among fans when it was unveiled last summer and Adidas have revealed next season’s number will revert back to red once again.

With Real Madrid wearing their famous white jersey at home, as they always do, Bayern had no option but to switch to their second uniform to avoid a colour clash.

Black on the field, red in the Bernabéu stands

Despite wearing black on the field, the Bundesliga giants have encouraged fans to support the team by dressing in red - not white - in a social media post on Wednesday.

More than 3,500 Bayern supporters travelled to Madrid, with seas of red flowing through various parts of the Spanish capital.

Although Real Madrid and Bayern Munich won’t be white against red on the field, as it normally is, it will be in the stands. The Bavarians already wore their black away uniform in the 2-2 draw away to Arsenal in the quarter-finals, which preceded a 1-0 home victory in the second leg. The same order of results is the order of the day for Thomas Tuchel’s team.