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Bayern Munich 2 (Ribery 17, Gomez 89) – Real Madrid 1 (Ozil 53)
Mario Gomez managed to turn an anticlimax to a massive win for Bayern Munich with a priceless late winner, that will give Bayern a huge boost before they head to Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg.
Real Madrid were overall, very ineffective, as Bayern produced another efficient performance, akin to German engineering.
Bastian Schweinsteiger got the nod ahead of compatriot Thomas Mueller for Bayern, while Fabio Coentrao was chosen ahead of Brazilian Marcelo at left-back. Karim Benzema kept his place, with Higuain having to content with a place on the bench.
The start was pretty even, with Real having the first real shot, when Benzema’s effort was parried by Manuel Neuer. Controversy soon followed, when France winger Frank Ribery went down too easily, after the slightest of touches from Sergio Ramos. There was a small kerfuffle, but it didn’t take Ribery long to get on to the scoresheet.
Sergio Ramos was involved again, as the ball chested off him, into the path of Ribery, whose low shot beat a horde of bodies in the box, as well as beating Iker Casillas. Real seemed to be struggling on the wings, and their midfield seemed ineffective against a well drilled Bayern unit. Cristiano Ronaldo rarely troubled the opposition, while Mesut Ozil and Angel di Mario were kept under wraps.
Mario Gomez, the German international of Spanish descent, almost scored, when he lost his markers Pepe and Ramos, but his effort was just about pushed away by Casillas.
But, Real took lead completely against the run of play in the second half. Ronaldo was put through, but his effort saved by Neuer, before Benzema crossed to give Ronaldo another chance. He flicked it back to Ozil, who netted in front of an empty net.
Mario Gomez then missed a few chances for the host. First, he was beaten to the ball by Casillas, having been put through by Robben. Then, he miscued his shot off a Kross dead ball. He even managed to scamper a couple of headers from goal scoring positions.
When it seemed, Bayern would pay for all their profligacy, Philip Lahm cut from the right, and Gomez finally managed to find the back of the net.
There was a bit of tension at the end, when substitute Marcelo kicked Thomas Mueller, which was a red card foul, but escaped with only a yellow. Bayern closed down, to hold on to a slender advantage to take to Spain.
Match Ratings (Bayern Munich)
Neuer (7.5) – Rarely threatened on the night.
Lahm (8) – A fine performance at right-back.
Badstuber (8) – Commanding game from the young German.
Boateng (7.5) – A completely different player from what we saw at Manchester City.
Alaba (8.5) – The 19 year old Austrian was tireless in attack, and never shunned his defensive duties.
Gustavo (7.5) – Lost the ball a few times, but a composed game.
Kroos (8) – In the thick of things, all night.
Schweinsteiger (7.5) – A bit subdued, didn’t really justify his selection ahead of Mueller.
Ribery (7.5) – Adept at playacting, and scored a vital goal.
Robben (8) – A constant menace to Real’s defence.
Gomez (7) – Scampered way too many opportunities.
Match Ratings (Real Madrid)
Casillas (8.5) – It could have been a rout without him.
Arbeloa (7) – Never really managed the pace of Robben.
Ramos (7.5) – Constantly under pressure. Centre back is not for him.
Pepe (7) – Prone to errors.
Coentrao (7) – Another player who didn’t justify his selection.
Alonso (7.5) – Workhorse in midfield.
Khedira (7) – Anonymous.
Ozil (7) – Scored a vital away goal.
di Maria (7.5) – Alaba had him under wraps most of the game.
Ronaldo (7) – Never really gathered momentum in his game.
Benzema (7.5) – A mixed game for the France striker.
Overall Team Ratings
Bayern Munich – 7.81
Real Madrid – 7.31
