MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 30: Team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on April 30, 2024 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring. (Photo by Boris Strobel/Getty Images)
The UEFA Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid began with a spectacular first leg at the Allianz Arena in Germany. Bayern, looking to overcome a difficult season, took the lead from the start. However, Real Madrid, backed by performances from Toni Kroos and Vinicius Junior, took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half.
Real Madrid maintained that lead until halftime. And as we play away, we will protect this lead and take it back to Spain for the second leg next week.
Bayern and Madrid eliminated English Premier League favorites Arsenal and Manchester City in the quarter-finals. Both are giants of the sport. The two sides have faced each other seven times in the Champions League semi-finals. They have won this competition and its predecessor, the European Cup, 20 times (Real Madrid 14 times, Bayern 6 times).
However, their 2023-24 season was very different. Real Madrid are on the move to win the La Liga title. Meanwhile, Bayern relinquished the German Bundesliga title for the first time in over 10 years. Manager Thomas Tuchel has been under constant criticism. Barring a spot in the Champions League final, this year will be the club’s biggest failure in a long time.
For all these reasons, Bayern were underdogs in the quarter-finals, but are now back in the semi-finals, especially after conceding an equalizer.
You can watch Game 1 below on Yahoo Sports.
live24 updates
Real Madrid wobbles
Harry Kane’s deflected shot just missed the post.
Eric Dier’s free header landed in the arms of Andriy Lunin.
Real Madrid are living a dangerous life here. As it stands, it is 50-50 whether he will return to Madrid for the second leg. Another goal for Bayern would change things.
What a turnaround!
From 0-1 to 2-1 within 5 minutes!
And it was designed by three of Bayern’s most dynamic players.
Konrad Reimer ran into the space in midfield and played the ball to Leroy Sane on the right.
Sane ended a 185-day goal drought with a typical Leroy Sane goal, cutting inside with his left foot and firing a laser.
Jamal Musiala then darted into Real Madrid’s box and won a penalty.
Error by Lucas Dejunde La Pierna. Con Musiala es un peligro hacer algo así.
Harry Kane has changed his mind. Bayern is back to life.
In his first Champions League semi-final appearance, Harry Kane led Bayern 2-1:
And after Sane’s equalizer, Bayern got a penalty!
Second half underway
Half-time substitution: Rafael Guerreiro replaces Leon Goretzka in Bayern’s midfield.
This isn’t a change that says, “Okay, let’s chase the game.” It’s a bit of a tactical adjustment.
Toni Kroos’ first half: It’s not just the assists. On-ball, he’s pretty close to perfection.
Harry Kane’s free-kick bounced several feet wide, leaving Bayern Munich with eight shots to Real Madrid’s one.
However, one of them was of very high quality, and eight of them were mostly so-called “half chances”, and there were no obvious mistakes that stood out.
It’s still 1-0 and halftime is approaching.
Can Bayern get their rhythm back?
The challenge for Bayern now is to rediscover the rhythm of the opening 20 minutes and not let their game plan slip away even for a moment.
Especially against this Real Madrid team, there is a risk that they will start chasing the game and lose control.
Real, on the other hand, would be even happier to drop deep into their own defensive third and play on the counter. Perhaps it’s probably then. los blancos It’s in top condition.
Real Madrid goal!
…And as promised, until the end of the game… 1-0 victory over Real Madrid.
All it took was one brilliant, lightning-fast dart from Vinicius Junior and one classic pass from Toni Kroos.
Kroos will be praised. But watch the replay, and watch Vinny. He checked towards the ball and had enough intent to drag Bayern centre-back Kim Min-jae into it. Then Kim sprinted into the empty space. Kim can’t keep up. Eric Dier doesn’t cover it. boom. 1-0.
Bayern takes the lead
Great opening 15 minutes from Bayern. A near-ideal balance between offensive propulsion and patience, aggression and control.
But as Manchester City and many others have proven, if they fail to take chances, Real Madrid can and probably will. — punishes you instantly without warning.
Still 0-0.
Reminder: Amidst all the struggles against Bayern Munich this season, their underlying numbers are wonderful. elite.
This is still a dominant team and we saw more evidence of that in the first 12 minutes.
(Screenshot below via fbref.com. Expected goal difference is a measure of the quantity and quality of chances a team creates and allows.)
Expected goal difference for this season’s German Bundesliga. (fbref.com)
Bayern have a chance within 45 seconds
Real Madrid almost fell asleep right after the start.
Don’t put pressure on the ball. Bayern played easily on the left flank, close to Real’s 4-4-2 shape. Leroy Sane almost took the lead early on as he penetrated into the box.
