The right to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1 was the grand prize on offer Wednesday night as Real Madrid took on Bayern Munich.
2-2 from the first leg, this encounter between two of Europe’s most successful clubs was perfectly balanced – and this showed in a cautious first half where both goalkeepers expertly handled the few decent chances that were created. The closest either team came was a Vinicius Junior shot after 13 minutes that was touched onto the Bayern post by Manuel Neuer.
Real Madrid increased the pressure after half-time, with Vinicius looking particularly threatening. But Bayern – just as Madrid have done time and time again against their Champions League opponents – soaked it up and stunned their opponents on the break thanks to a wonderfully taken shot from Alphonso Davies.
Bayern could almost see Wembley on the horizon, but this is Real Madrid, where even a journeyman like Joselu can become a Champions League legend. Two goals in three minutes from the former Stoke City striker sent the Bernabeu wild and sensationally booked Carlo Ancelotti’s side a trip to Wembley, but not before some late controversy.
Here, our editors answer some of the game’s key questions.
How did Real find a way to win again?
Madrid won a record 36th La Liga title this weekend and won the Supercopa de Espana (Spain’s equivalent of the Community Shield) in January – but neither of those compare to the Champions League.
Lifting the league title was an impressive feat for a side who lost their first-choice goalkeeper and centre-back to ACL injuries this campaign, but there’s a reason this celebrations trophy have been postponed. Madrid are measured on nights like these and knew they would need all their concentration for this decisive match against Bayern.
Alphonso Davies’ curling effort was a shock for Carlo Ancelotti’s side and it looked like their luck had ended when Nacho’s goal – via Matthijs de Ligt – was ruled out for a push on Joshua Kimmich . But Madrid always seem to find a way.
It was fitting that it came from the most unlikely of circumstances – a late brace from substitute Joselu, who had previously disappointed at Stoke and Newcastle United. First, the striker seized a fumble from the excellent Manuel Neuer to score in the 88th minute. Then the Spaniard was in the right place to return a ball past Antonio Rudiger’s goal. Signal delirium at the Bernabeu after a distressing VAR review.
Tomas Hill López-Menchero
How is Manuel Neuer doing?
Without a doubt, he should have saved the shot which Joselu happily returned on the rebound. This undoubtedly cost Bayern a place in the Champions League final.
Older readers will remember a similar misfortune that befell Oliver Kahn during the 2002 World Cup final against Brazil. It was a similar mistake, in similar circumstances. Kahn has been exceptional in this tournament and is one of the reasons Germany has progressed so far.
Neuer’s impact on this Champions League may not have been as dramatic, but for 87 minutes at the Bernabeu he was absolutely exceptional, returning to something close to his best. His double save in the first half was as good as any he had made in years, particularly since returning from a broken leg he suffered while skiing 18 months ago.
How cruel. Neuer’s performance deserved more luck. No doubt this will provoke debate over his age and longevity, but football is football and the game can be very nasty.
Seb Stafford Bloor
Aleksandar Pavlovic’s performance was a positive for Bayern
It was a night when Aleksandar Pavlovic confirmed what everyone already knew. He is incredibly talented.
Fortunately, Pavlovic is also Bavarian. He was born in Munich and grew up within the Bayern academy system. On match days, his popularity is reflected in the dozens of replica jerseys that already bear his name, despite having played fewer than 20 Bundesliga matches during his fledgling career.
But being from the country doesn’t take a lot out of a player. Pavlovic has a rare ability to advance the ball and his selection at the Bernabeu changed what Bayern were capable of doing in possession. He was elegant and efficient in this game, making quick incisions between Real’s lines and, at times, with his long legs, slightly grumpy gait and unorthodox skill, he resembled a young Fernando Redondo.
Playing like he did in the first half on Wednesday night, in a game of such importance, against so many world-class players, truly described the depth of his talent.
Thus, Bayern supporters are hardly attracted to him out of obligation. They also don’t fall into the trap of overestimating one of their own. As his team enters a period of renewal and much is expected to change, Pavlovic’s future appears destined to be one of originality within his club’s midfield.
Seb Stafford Bloor
How happy was Toni Kroos?
Kroos had one of his best seasons in the Real Madrid jersey. The German midfielder’s contract ends this summer – but his performances this season suggest he still has many years left.
The 34-year-old was Madrid’s conductor at the Allianz Arena in the first leg, making a stunning perfect pass to dismiss Vinicius Junior for his opener and completing 80 of his 86 passes with a success rate of 93 percent. It was a similar story in the first half at the Bernabeu when Kroos sent passes to Rodrygo and Federico Valverde and recorded a 96 percent success rate, although he had less influence than there has a week with Bayern tighter in defense.
Reserve was the main theme of the first half, with the best chance falling to Vinicius Junior in the 13th minute. It would have been a controversial opening effort as the Brazilian hit the underside of the post while another ball was still on the pitch – much to Bayern’s chagrin – before Rodrygo’s follow-up was brilliantly saved by Manuel Neuer. Andriy Lunin was called upon later to tip a Harry Kane shot around the post, but otherwise these two European giants didn’t give in until half-time.
Even so, it seemed clear that any breakthrough would come from the man playing his usual role as ‘quarterback’ for Madrid.
Tomas Hill López-Menchero
A tale of two flanks for Bayern
During the first leg of this semi-final, it was the passage of Leroy Sané on the right wing which triggered Bayern’s most dangerous attack. Joshua Kimmich’s overlapping run gave Sane space to cut inside and score at the near post early in the second half, and Thomas Tuchel stayed with the German winger on the right flank for the return match.
Sane would keep his width and force Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy to press him close to the touchline, which allowed Joshua Kimmich to penetrate the half-space areas and look to exploit the gaps created – particularly in the first halftime, as he sought to overlap rather than overlap. ride.
However, Bayern failed to make the most of the opportunities they had on the right side of the pitch. The runs were often good, but the pass was often overtaken, blocked or not chosen at the crucial moment when it was necessary to keep a cool head. It was clear what Bayern wanted to do, but their execution just wasn’t up to par on the right.
For long periods, Bayern’s right side looked significantly more dangerous than their left – partly due to circumstances, as Serge Gnabry was forced off due to a recurrence of his hamstring injury after just 27 minutes. Alphonso Davies replaced Gnabry and offered similar pace, but few expected him to offer the same attacking threat.
That was until Davies got inside on his weaker right foot and fired a ball into the top corner to give Bayern the lead. With all the attacking talent on display that night, no one would have predicted that the Canadian international would be the one to show them how it’s done.
Marc Carey
What did Ancelotti say?
Carlo Ancelotti continued to believe in it, even when his team was behind. “We put some fresh legs on the field,” he told TNT Sports after the game. “Joselu is a fantastic striker, we could use the wings more and make crosses. We did very well and had a lot of energy late in the game.”
The Italian also praised the mentality of his players who continue to win matches from difficult positions. “I’m really grateful to them, they work really hard, they’re really humble, really generous. I think this is the best team I’ve ever had in my career.
What did Tuchel say?
Thomas Tuchel was very disappointed with the final stages of the match. “A very unusual mistake from our best player (Neuer) for the equalizer,” he told TNT Sports.
“Then we conceded a very close decision for the second in stoppage time. Then we scored one… before a disastrous decision by the linesman and the referee. In the end, it almost feels like a betrayal.
GO FURTHER
Explaining De Ligt’s controversial non-goal as Real Madrid v Bayern Munich ends in ‘a betrayal’
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(Top photo: Getty Images)