footballtalkies.com we talk football
Real Madrid 2 (Ronaldo 6 (pen), 14) – Bayern Munich 1 (Robben 27 (pen)) – Scores tied after ET
Penalty Shooutout –
Alaba (Bayern) – Scores 0-1
Ronaldo (Real) – Saved 0-1
Gomez (Bayern) – Scores 0-2
Kaka (Real) – Saved 0-2
Kroos (Bayern) – Saved 0-2
Alonso (Real) – Scores 1-2
Lahm (Bayern) – Saved 1-2
Ramos (Real) – Misses 1-2
Schweinsteiger (Bayern) – Scores 1-3
Man of the Match – Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Bayern Munich booked a place for themselves for the European final, in their own city, in their own stadium, as they overcame Real Madrid’s challenge, in dramatic fashion, winning on penalties.
Real Madrid were turning out after a thoroughly encounter over the weekend in the El Clasico against Barcelona at the Nou Camp, which they won 2-1, thanks to goals from Sami Khedira and Cristiano Ronaldo. Bayern Munich, seemed a bit more relaxed, having almost conceded the Bundesliga title to high-flyers Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich named an unchanged squad from the first leg at the Allianz, while Real Madrid drafted in Brazilian left-back Marcelo, in place of the ineffective Fabio Coentrao.
The start to the game, was completely the opposite. Real Madrid started on the front foot, and after just 5 minutes, young Austrian defender David Alaba was adjudged to have handled a Angel di Maria cross. Ronaldo stepped up and scored. And, within no time, Real had the tie by the scruff of the neck, after Ronaldo’s fine finish after being set up by Mesut Ozil.
With Real Madrid coasting away, Bayern’s response was pretty quick. Pepe fouled Germany international Mario Gomez in the penalty box, and Arjen Robben made no mistake from the spot, to level scores on aggregate. It was justice done, as the German side was as attack-minded as Real.
Gomez, who has been in fine nick this season, showed the same wastefulness in front of goal, as he had done last week, against the same opponent. His low driven shot was saved by Iker Casillas, and his header glanced wide.
Real Madrid almost scored early into the second half, when Benzema was released on the right. His half-shot, half-cross was met by no one, but ambled just short of the goal. Bayern responded as Lahm’s cross was met by Gomez again, but it ended up just wide.
There were more soon shots on goal, with the usual culprits Benzema and Gomez in the thick of things. Benzema has a shot from long range, while Gomez’ shot is deflected away. Arjen Robben, then, went on a fine run, but the alert Casillas, saves from his heavy touch.
Late on, with minutes left to play, Arjen Robben played in Mario Gomez, who was in a fantastic position to score, but he took too long to make a decision, and Real cleared.
The extra time played out was actually quite uneventful. Both teams were visibly exhausted, and lacked the pace to trouble the opposition. However, David Alaba and Luiz Gustavo picked up cards, which meant they would miss the final.
There was enough tension at the Bernabeu, to be cut open by a knife, as the match had gone down to penalties. David Alaba made no mistake. Cristiano Ronaldo did, as Manuel Neuer produced a fine right-sided save. This was the second time Ronaldo had missed a penalty in a shootout in the Champions League. The last time it happened, Manchester United went on to beat Chelsea.
Mario Gomez slotted away his, and Neuer produced a photocopy save of the first to deny Kaka. Iker Casillas, then made the most vital of saves off Toni Kroos, to keep Real in contention. Xabi Alonso managed to put away his, and it seemed Real had clung on, after Lahm forced a brilliant one-handed Casillas save.
Sergio Ramos made a complete hash of his penalty, akin to the Charlie Adam miss against Cardiff City in the League Cup Final. Bastian Schweinsteiger slotted home the final penalty, to take Bayern through to the final.
Bayern will be without key players Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber for the final. But, they will relish the chance of playing Chelsea in their own backyard.
