A clinical performance by Real Madrid saw the Los Blancos beat a wasteful Bayern Munich 2-1 in their Champions League semi-final first leg at the Alianz Arena on Wednesday evening, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
Bayern started the game the better of the two side and created their first chance with just 20 seconds played. A Robert Lewandowski cross was met by Thomas Muller, but the German couldn’t sort his feet out in time.
The German side were on the front foot, forcing Madrid to defend for the opening 20 minutes.
Then just as the Spanish side looked to have found their feet, Bayern took the lead. Joshua Kimmich was set down the right-hand side by James Rodriguez, the defender took a touch and unleashed a venomous strike which caught out Keylor Navas at his front post. A poor piece of goalkeeping by Navas, who was trying to anticipate the cross. 1-0 to the home side with 28 minutes played.
Jupp Heynckes team continued to push forward, but both Frank Ribery and Lewandowski failed to take advantage of their opportunities.
It looked as though Bayern would take a lead into halftime but on 44 minutes Zinedine Zidane’s team hit back. The ball came out to Marcelo on the edge of the Bayern box and the Brazilian produced a spectacular half-volley into the bottom corner.
After dominating for large parts of the opening stanza, Bayern went into halftime level, with Madrid having scored that vital away goal.
The home side continued to press forward in the second half and came close to regaining the lead, but Muller could not apply a touch to Ribery’s driven cross.
Calamity then struck for Bayern as a defensive error let gave Madrid the lead. A poor ball from Rafinha was picked up by Lucas Vasquez, he drove forward pulling the defender with him before sending Marco Asensio through on goal. The Spaniard made no mistake with the finish, 2-1 to Madrid who some how were in the lead with 57 minutes on the clock.
Heynckes team searched for an equaliser but Los Blancos were happy to sit back and look to strike on the counter attack.
2-1 the final score after a clinical performance by Real. Bayern, however, will be disappointed after missing a number good chances through out the game.
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