Bayern Munich continued their preparations for the new season by recording a comfortable 3-0 victory over AC Milan in the semi-finals of the Audi Cup at the Allianz Arena.
It was a dominant display from the first whistle as the hosts controlled proceedings, and they led at the break thanks to a deflected effort from Juan Bernat.
Milan improved early in the second half, but they were unable to keep out Bayern as Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski both found the net to set up a meeting with Real Madrid for Wednesday.
Read below to find out how the action unfolded.
6.45pmGood evening everyone. We're just a few days away from the start of domestic league football, but there is still a few more chances to catch some of the world's biggest teams in pre-season action. Tonight, I'll be bringing you live text coverage of the Audi Cup semi-final clash between Bayern Munich and AC Milan.
6.47pmIn this pre-season tournament hosted by Bayern, the winners of the two matches will meet in tomorrow's final and the losers will contest the third-place playoff. Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur kicked off at the Allianz Arena at 5.15pm, and the Spanish side are currently leading 1-0 thanks to a James Rodriguez header.
6.50pmI'll bring you the result of the first match in a few minutes, but first let's concentrate on Bayern and AC Milan. The two teams will start their seasons with very different targets. Success is expected by both sets of fans, but after two difficult campaigns, Milan will be hopeful of finding enough consistency to challenge for a Champions League spot under the guidance of new boss Sinisa Mihajlovic, who was drafted in to replace Filippo Inzaghi.
6.52pmAs Milan battle to return to Europe's elite club competition, the pressure is growing on Pep Guardiola to win the Champions League with Bayern. Jupp Heynckes signed off with a treble before the Spaniard arrived two years ago, and Guardiola has twice been halted at the semi-final stage of the competition since then. Bayern are certainly hot favourites to cruise the Bundesliga title again, but the fans expect much more.
6.54pmUPDATE: Real Madrid are now 2-0 up against Spurs. Who else could it have been? Gareth Bale has just unleashed a low strike to find the back of the net against his former employers. It looks like the winners of this match will meet Real tomorrow.
6.56pmBAYERN: Ulreich, Costa, Rafinha, Boateng, Bernat, Gotze, Rode, Lahm, Vidal, Kimmich, Hojbjerg
SUBS: Neuer, Benatia, Lewandowski, Alonso, Gaudino, Muller, Alaba, Green, Benko
6.58pmBayern were beaten on penalties by Wolfsburg in the DFL-Supercup at the weekend, but it's a very different looking side for this pre-season clash. Manuel Neuer, Roberto Lewandowski, Xabi Alonso and Thomas Muller are on the bench, while Thiago Alcantara and Arjen Robben are not involved. Arturo Vidal does start alongside captain Philipp Lahm.
7.00pmAC MILAN: Lopez; De Sciglio, Zapata, Ely, Antonelli; Bonaventura, De Jong, Bertolacci; Honda; Bacca, Adriano
7.02pmThere has been plenty of interest in Milan's activity in the transfer window this summer, and the club's supporters have been given another chance to see what is to come from their new attack as Carlos Bacca partners Luiz Adriano. Keisuke Honda also starts behind the front two.
7.06pmIt's important to stress just how little pre-season results matter to managers, but there has been plenty to be optimistic about for Milan fans this summer. The 2-1 loss to Lyon is the only defeat they've suffered inside 90 minutes in five matches. They've tasted victory over Inter Milan and held Real Madrid to a goalless draw before a penalty shootout defeat. Can Milan become challengers once again in Serie A this season?
7.08pmRESULT: Goals from Rodriguez and Spurs old boy Bale have earned Real a 2-0 victory at the Allianz Arena, which means they are through to tomorrow's final. Mauricio Pochettino's side settle for a spot in the third-place playoff ahead of Saturday's Premier League opener against Manchester United.
7.13pmBayern have been beaten on penalties by Guangzhou Evergrande and Wolfsburg, respectively, in their most recent two matches, with the latter seeing Guardiola come in for criticism as his side missed out on the DFL-Supercup. A DFB-Pokal meeting with Nottingen awaits the Bundesliga champions on Sunday, before they get their league campaign underway against Hamburger SV on August 14.
7.15pmBayern's versatile defender is not involved tonight, but he's taken to Twitter to wish his teammates luck.
Let's go @FCBayern!! ⚽️🔴 #packmas
— Holger Badstuber (@Badstuber) August 4, 20157.19pmSTAT: Bayern recorded a 4-1 victory the last time these two sides met in pre-season back in 2009, but perhaps the German champions have not faired well in competitive action against Milan, who have never lost in those six clashes.
7.22pmDespite cruising to the Bundesliga title, Bayern have been active in the transfer market this summer as Guardiola looks to build the squad capable of challenging for every trophy. The big news was the arrival of Arturo Vidal, whose physical presence and eye for a goal certainly adds something different to the Bayern midfield. Sven Ulreich, who starts in goal this evening, moved from Stuttgart to provide backup for Manuel Neuer, while Douglas Costa was signed from Stuttgart. Bastian Schweinsteiger was allowed to join Man Utd, so should we be expecting a different Bayern this season?
7.26pmMihajlovic has been backed by the Milan hierarchy with the signings of Bacca, Adriano, Andrea Bertolacci and Luca Antonelli, and nothing but a strong challenge will be acceptable. It's difficult to look past Juventus and Roma, but can Milan's new attack-minded side cause a surprise in Italy?
7.29pmBayern have confirmed this evening that Guardiola decided to rest both Thiago and Robben after their efforts against Wolfsburg at the weekend. The changes come as no surprise following such a difficult test in the season's curtain-raiser.
7.33pm
Welcome to your new home, lads! #AllianzArena #AudiCup2015 #FCBACM pic.twitter.com/ucBoRBKOOb
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 4, 20157.37pmPREDICTION: Bayern are always strong on their turf, but it's always difficult to predict the outcome of games like this one. A lot could change when the managers make their substitutions early in the second half, so we could see plenty of goals. I'm going for a 2-1 victory for Bayern.
7.39pmIt took a while to be revealed, but here's who Milan have in reserve this evening.
MILAN SUBS: Abbiati, Donnarumma, Mexes, Abate, Paletta, Alex, Calabria, Mauri, Suso, Poli, Montolivo, Nocerino, Cerci, Matri, Niang
7.42pmHere we go then. The players are on their way out at the Allianz Arena and we're just a few moments away from kickoff.
1 minKICKOFF: Bayern get the game underway.
3 minIt's always difficult to spot what formation Guardiola will begin a game with, but Lahm is certainly in midfield in the early stages. He could be a key figure for the club once again with the energy of Costa and Vidal close to him this season.
4 minBayern are dominating possession early on, with Vidal involved on the left side of midfield but with plenty of the home side's players roaming around the immaculate pitch.
6 minLahm is seeing the ball even further up than a few moments ago, and it looks like he may be playing on the right of a front three. Is there anything that man can't do? A cross from the skipper causes problems before Milan eventually clear.
8 minCLOSE! Bayern win a free kick just on the edge of the box, but Costa can't quite bring the ball down after clearing the wall.
10 minKimmich has received a couple of early kicks, with the latest coming from De Jong as Bayern spend another long spell on top. The hosts are certainly on top.
13 minDe Sciglio is at the centre of the jokes when Costa produces a brilliant piece of skill to flick the ball over the defender's head. Luckily for Milan, it didn't result in a chance for Bayern.
14 minGreat defensive work from Zapata in the box as he makes a vital clearance from Lahm's cross under pressure from Rode. The breakthrough was almost there for Guardiola's side.
16 minEven without a number of their key men, Bayern have been completely dominant in the first half of this match. Milan just can't retain possession for long enough to put the home defence under pressure.
17 minCosta has been one of the stars of the show so far as he delights the crowd again with another trick to leave De Sciglio helpless, but his inviting cross drifts across the box.
20 minMilan finally enjoy a long spell in possession, but a promising move breaks down when Adriano's pass out wide is deflected by Boateng, who survives appeals for hand ball.
21 minSUBSTITUTION: Guardiola is forced into his first change of the match. Kimmich has not recovered following that tackle from De Jong and he comes off to be replaced by David Alaba.
23 minGOAL! BAYERN 1-0 MILAN (BERNAT)
24 minBernat appeared to be moved further forward after that change and he makes an instant impact in an advanced position. After collecting a pass from Costa, the Spaniard cuts across the box before unleashing a low strike which takes a deflection off Zapata on the way in. Bayern certainly deserve the lead.
27 minBayern come forward once again with Costa picking out Gotze, whose brilliant delivery is headed away by Ely.
28 minOFF THE POST! Excellent work from Costa once again as he creates space on the wing before delivering a cross to Hojbjerg, who sends the ball against the post.
30 minCosta is playing in front of Bayern's home fans for the first time and he'll quickly become a hero if he plays like this throughout the season. His trickery has been fun to watch, but his end product has been impressive, too.
33 minCHANCE! It really should be 2-0. Costa is too quick for Ely as he cuts inside the defender to test Lopez, before firing the rebound over the crossbar.
35 minI gave Bacca and Adriano the big build-up today, but the strikers have been starved of service with Bayern dominating possession from the first whistle. As for Honda, he's barely had a touch.
37 minOFF THE BAR! Bayern are inches away from a second goal as Vidal peels away to the back post to meet Rafinha's cross with a looping header which hits the crossbar.
40 minMilan relieve some of the pressure on their defence by winning a free kick 30 yards from goal, but it's a disappointing strike from Honda, who can only hit the wall.
42 minI'm sure De Sciglio wouldn't mind if he is taken off at the break. A nightmare of a first half continues as he is forced to chop down the lively Bernat.
44 minVidal finds space between two Milan defenders in the box, but he can't make the right contact with the header as the ball drifts wide of the post.
8.35pmHALF TIME: BAYERN 1-0 MILAN
8.37pmBayern finish the first half dominating possession as they take a well-deserved lead into the interval. Bernat's strike took a fortunate deflection, but Bayern have certainly been the better side at the Allianz Arena. Milan have barely threatened and they've struggled to keep the ball.
8.40pmBayern have also hit the woodwork twice in the first half, while summer signings Vidal and Costa have both been in impressive form. The latter, in particular, has produced some excellent play out wide and his positive running at the Milan defence has been key to Bayern's dominance.
8.43pmGuardiola may have watched his side dominate proceedings in the opening 45 minutes, but plenty could change with both managers expected to make changes. The flow of pre-season matches can be changed by the replacements, so at 1-0, Milan certainly aren't out of the game yet.
8.47pmMihajlovic won't be panicking about 45 minutes of pre-season action, but he'll have noticed that Milan have lacked pace in possession, with the Serie A side often struggling to get the ball forward to the likes of Adriano and Bacca. Are they missing a genuine playmaker?
8.50pmWell, there's been some interesting scenes in the tunnel ahead of the second half. Guardiola didn't seem to be happy with De Jong. It wouldn't be a surprise if he was voicing his displeasure with the tackle on Kimmich, who was forced off with an injury.
46 minThe second half is underway. Guardiola has sent on Lewandowski, Muller and Benatia for Costa, Boateng and Vidal, which tells you everything about the strength of this squad. No changes for Milan yet.
48 minIt's been an exciting start to the second half. Lewandowski heads just wide from an offside position following some excellent work from Rode, before Bacca has his first sight of the goal with an effort which drifts past the post.
50 minMilan certainly look more determined to make an impact further up the pitch, but Lewandowski has looked lively for the hosts as he skips a couple of challenges before being halted by De Jong.
52 minZapata has probably been the best player in a Milan defence which has looked vulnerable, and he comes to his side's rescue again to clear Hojbjerg's cross.
54 minHilarious from the passionate Mihajlovic, who shows his annoyance with a stray pass by booting the ball away when it reaches him on the touchline. I would not want to upset the Milan boss.
55 minPoor from Rode, who ignores the options early in the attack before slicing a speculative effort well wide of the target from the edge of the box.
57 minSUBSTITUTION: Guardiola makes another change as Xabi Alonso comes off the bench to replace Lahm.
59 minBetter from Milan as they pass the ball around patiently further up the pitch, but they just don't look capable of slicing open the Bayern defence.
61 minZapata comes across to confront Muller on the wing and he concedes a free kick for a foul on the World Cup winner, but the Colombian defender recovers well to head the danger clear.
62 minCHANCE! Bayern are so close to a second goal. Rode and Rafinha link up superbly out wide, before the latter delivers a cross which looks set to be turned home by Lewandowski. However, Zapata manages to get a vital touch on the ball to save Milan.
63 min
How did that not go in?! pic.twitter.com/LNA4PmDy46
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 4, 201565 minSUBSTITUTION: Zapata has certainly been Milan's best player this evening, but he seemed to pull up in pain after denying Lewandowski a few moments ago. He is replaced by Alex.
68 minClever play from Gotze and Lewandowski creates space for the latter, but his eagerness to pass rather than shoot is a mistake as Muller watches an effort of his own strike De Sciglio.
70 minDe Jong's tackles in the first half appeared to attract the attention of Guardiola in the first half, and he's certainly not going to be in the Bayern coach's good books after bringing down Lewandowski with a late challenge.
73 minExcellent from Gotze once again as he dodges a challenge from Bertolacci, but his cross is too strong for the Bayern players in the middle.
74 minGOAL! BAYERN 2-0 MILAN (GOTZE)
75 minSuperb from Gotze as Bayern double their lead. He is gifted too much space by the Milan defence and responds by drilling a pass to Lewandowski, whose poor touch threatens to bring the attack to a premature end. However, Gotze reacts quickly to collect the loose ball and curl past a helpless Lopez.
76 minSUBSTITUTIONS: Mihajlovic makes changes just after the goal and it's busy work for the fourth official. Jose Mauri, Suso, Philippe Mexes Alessandro Matri, Riccardo Montolivo, Davide Calabria and M'Baye Niang come on.
77 minRafinha sends a cross to Muller, who heads the ball back across the box but Lewandowski can't arrive quickly enough to tap home from a few yards out.
80 minSUBSTITUTION: Mihajlovic's decision to make all of those changes hasn't helped Milan since Bayern scored their second goal. Fabian Benko is off the Bayern bench to replace Gotze.
82 minMilan are keeping men behind the ball late in the match as they head towards what looks to be an inevitable defeat.
84 minGOAL! BAYERN 3-0 MILAN (LEWANDOWSKI)
85 minA stunning finish from Lewandowski hands Bayern a third. Alex's poor clearance strikes Rode and sends the ball to Muller, whose clever touch allows his teammate to beat Lopez with a powerful volley. The Milan goalkeeper never had a chance.
87 minSUBSTITUTIONS: Guardiola makes two more changes as Rode and Hojbjerg make way for Gianluca Gaudino and Julian Green.
90 minA problem for Niang forces him off in the closing stages, but his replacement Alessio Cerci is slightly too eager as he concedes a free kick for a foul on Bernat.
9.36pmBAYERN 3-0 MILAN
9.38pmIt's all over at the Alianz Arena. For pre-season, it was a fine performance from Bayern but there certainly wasn't much resistance from Milan this evening. Bayern attacked with more intent and the win sets up a clash with Real Madrid in tomorrow's Audi Cup final. Milan will take on Spurs in the third-place playoff.
9.39pmThat's all from our live coverage this evening. Thanks for joining us, and make sure you follow Bayern vs. Real with us tomorrow night. Goodnight.
