Bayern Munich faced off against Real Madrid in the first leg of the second semi-final of this year’s UEFA Champions League.
The Spanish giants came back from behind, won 2-1 and showed their class.
1st Half
- The first half almost started with an immediate goal from Bayern. The German side nearly caught the reigning champions off guard and were unlucky that Thomas Muller was unable to finish off a difficult cross from Robert Lewandowski.
- Soon afterwards, Robben went down and had to come off for Thiago due to injury. After a change in system, it took time for Bayern to adjust and the game became quite cagey with neither side able to assert their authority.
- It took a moment of brilliance from Joshua Kimmich to break the deadlock around the half mark. Bayern opened up Real Madrid with a neat interchange that allowed Kimmich to race away down the right.
- Soon after scoring, though, Bayern had another man injured as Boateng came off for Sule. Another change didn’t slow Bayern down, as they continued to press ahead.
- Ribery uncharacteristically missed what looked like a clear goal scoring opportunity after having been put clean through on goal. Bayern missed further decent chances courtesy of Muller and Hummels.
- They were made to pay by Real who equalised through Marcelo. The Brazillian fullback scored a brilliant first touch goal after an attacking Madrid move.
2nd Half
- Real started the second half on the front foot and looked far more aggressive. Even then, the first chance fell to Bayern. Muller looked destined to score but was denied by a fantastic tackle from Varane.
- The good defending from Real was not matched by Bayern, though, who fell victim to their own poor mistake. A careless pass from Rafinha was intercepted by Vazquez who played a terrific one-two with Asensio who finished an easy goal scoring chance on the counter attack.
- After going a goal down, Bayern tried their best to get back on level terms but seemed to lack the finishing touch every time. Ribery led the fight back but got nothing to show for his efforts.
- During this constant attacking pressure from Bayern, Real played on the counter and did well. Ronaldo had a goal disallowed for handball while Benzema could have done better after working himself into a very decent position.
Bayern XI: Ulreich; Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Rafinha; Robben, Muller, Martinez, James, Ribery; Lewandowski
Subs: Starke, Wagner, Sule, Thiago, Bernat, Rudy, Tolisso
Real Madrid XI: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Casemiro; Vasquez, Isco, Ronaldo
Subs: Casilla, Vallejo, Theo, Kovacic, Asensio, Bale, Benzema
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