The match: 2-1
After having held Bayern Munich in check at the Allianz Arena during the semi-final first leg (2-2, April 30), Real Madrid presented themselves with confidence and a favorable tie on their lawn, this Wednesday evening, to the semi-final second leg of the Champions League. The contemporary history of confrontations between these two clubs spoke in favor of the Merengues: no defeat in their last eight matches (6 wins and 2 draws), none at Santiago-Bernabeu, during their last seven receptions of the German giant (6 wins and 1 draw).
Above all, there is always something happening with this Real Madrid, which never gives up. This is exactly what happened again this Wednesday evening, with a double from the returning Joselu in the 88th and 90th +1 minutes. This semi-final further accentuates the legend of this club that is decidedly unlike any other.
Already crowned Spanish champion four days before the end of La Liga, Real did not miss the opportunity to reach an 18th C1 final (14 victories). He could also have folded the matter in the first quarter of an hour. But the post repelled the shot of Vinicius (13th), who then missed the target (15th), then his scissor returned into the area (26th), before coming up against Manuel Neuer (40th).
Arranged in 4-2-3-1 with the beginner Aleksandar Pavlovic (20 years old, second start in C1) associated with Konrad Laimer in recovery, Bayern for their part quickly lost Serge Gnabry (27th, relapse with his hamstrings). left leg), who mistimed his cross on the left side for Harry Kane (8th). Above all, the Germans found themselves in difficulty in ball exits, like these poorly measured restart balls in the heart of the game by Kane, author of the first Bavarian shot on target of the first period (29th, volley from the right in pivot).
After managing to rebalance this match in terms of possession before half-time, Thomas Tuchel’s men placed the first counter of the second half through Alphonso Davies. But, blocked by Daniel Carvajal, Gnabry’s replacement missed the target (47th). Just like Rodrygo (56th), once again served by the untenable Vinicius, positioned to his left in the 4-4-2 of Carlo Ancelotti, their Madrid coach.
By running into the Manuel Neuer wall and increasingly allowing Bayern to frame their strikes as they please (Kane, 54th, Jamal Musiala, 66th), Real ended up being surprised by an action led by Kane and concluded by Davies, author of his first goal in the Champions League with a superb strike from the right and after having played Antonio Rüdiger (68th).
The VAR having logically canceled Nacho’s equalizer (71st), it then validated Joselu’s second goal (90th+1). Because just three minutes before, the Real substitute had already equalized, further reinforcing the myth of the Merengue club.
The player: Neuer, unfortunate hero
Despite his 38 years and a fractured tibia which deprived him of the first three months of this season, the Bayern captain recalled that he remained a very high level goalkeeper. Saved by his right post, he first got up at lightning speed to block Rodrygo’s recovery in two stages (14th). He then managed a superb left-handed cuff on a cross from Vinicius (40th). Then two, right hand on a free kick from Rodrygo (59th) and a missile from Vinicius, again (61st). But while he was heading towards a clear round, Neuer was deceived by the rebound, on a new shot from Vinicius. Guilty of having released the ball, Joselu took the opportunity to equalize (88th). Before bowing a second time, three minutes later.
The fact: VAR is doubly decisive
Real thought they had equalized just three minutes after conceding the opener. But the Polish Szymon Marciniak, the main referee of this match, went to the edge of the field to see that Nacho had previously pushed Joshua Kimmich to the ground by grabbing his jaw with both hands. Helped by the VAR images, the referee logically canceled the Madrid goal (88th). And when the Spaniards believed that the referee was not going to validate Joselu’s second goal for a prior offside, the images validated it. Twice therefore, VAR proved decisive. But not a third, to the extent that the referee did not ask him to check the offside whistle on Matthijs de Ligt’s goal (90th + 13). Which had the gift of infuriating the Bavarians.
10
Carlo Ancelotti (64), the Italian coach of Real Madrid, has not lost any of his 10 matches against Bayern Munich (7 wins and 3 draws). A record for a coach against the same opponent, in the history of C1.
