Bayern Munich have now lost 6 games in a row to Real Madrid, their worst run against any team
Real Madrid remain joint favourites with Liverpool
Bayern Munich 1 – 2 Real Madrid – 25th April
Real win but not in style and Bayern can believe in their chance
Real Madrid were not particularly bright but managed to get the job done in the Allianz Arena on Wednesday after the hosts were subject to two key injuries during the game. The style was direct and even though the Bavarian’s dominated the game, they missed key chances to put the tie to their advantage.
Bayern’s Lewandowski, Muller and Ribery could not convert their chances after Kimmich had opened the score just before the half hour. Then Marcelo profited from a poor clearance by the German side and equalised with a crisp half-volley into the bottom corner on the stroke of half-time. Asensio scored the winner before the hour mark to take the advantage back to Madrid for the return game next Tuesday.
Ronaldo, who was quite on the night, had a goal disallowed for a handball and did not get another shot on target during the game. Madrid were not constructive during the game and they only held onto 40% of the possession but the result was the most important thing in such a tie.
It’s a bit of a concern to see them playing in such a style but the most important thing was to get a good result, which they managed. But will this spark a fight back in Madrid like we witnessed by Juventus a fortnight ago? Certainly it will be very likely and Real know that they still have some work to do at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Injury hit Bayern not strong enough
Injuries to Robben and Jerome Boateng in the first-half changed the proceedings for Bayern who were already missing defender’s David Alba and Kingsley Coman, keeper Manuel Neuer and midfielder Arturo Vidal. Those are some of their key players and they were greatly missed by the German league and Cup winners. Bayern were favourites to win that home game and it was like a missed chance and they will be very disappointed with the result.
It showed that without their big guns Bayern could not play the game they wanted and though they dominated possession, they were not able to bring the explosive and physical game that we have seen recently. The way they handled Sevilla in the quarter-final was more evidence of what they can produce on one of their best days. They are still in the tie and will have to show that kind of character if they want to beat Real on Tuesday.
Football Fanatix 