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Thursday 26 April 2012

Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munchen


Whites deserve to reach the final but lose tie in penalty shootout

Fernando Porrero / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell


Real Madrid were eliminated in the penalty shootout of a game that went into extra time and saw both sides showcasing great drive. The Whites had a ticket to the final within their grasp, but it wasn't to be. Luck was on Bayern Munchen's side and they'll play the final at their stadium. The Germans came back to score one goal after losing 2-0, therefore drawing the tie. Real Madrid had more chances to score but didn't capitalise on them
The lineup used by Mournho was the same as in the Clasico with the exception of Marcelo, who took Coentrao's place tonight. The Whites scored the opener through a penalty taken by Cristiano Ronaldo on the 5-minute mark after Alaba cleared a Di Maria shot with a hand. Bayern didn't fall back and Robben nearly scored an equaliser two minutes later, but Real tallied a second when Ronaldo dribbled past Neuer after controlling the ball outside the box (13'). The Bernabeu went wild and started to sing the Portuguese player's name.

Bayern Munchen also pulled rank and started to test Casillas, who was fantastic against Mario Gomez. Robben scored from a penalty on the 26-minute mark, therefore drawing the tie and forcing Real Madrid to score another strike, but the visiting goal was a harsh blow to the locals and the Germans tried to capitalise on this. Casillas cleared another Gomez shot soon after the goal and Benzema missed the target by inches in the 30th minute. Just before half-time, Iker again pulled off a stellar save against Robben, keeping the 2-1 score for the start of the second half.

Munchen started to have more possession, but Real Madrid proved to be more dangerous in counterattacks. Neither side had clear chances in the opening minutes of the second half until Neuer was strained to clear a Benzema shot that finished off an extraordinary personal effort (56'). The crowd started to roar in support of its team while both sides played a careful game. Kaka came on for Di Maria on the 75-minute mark and Mario Gomez nearly netted an equaliser from the penalty spot, but the local centre backs did well to thwart his chances. 

The game went into extra time, which proved tough on both sides. Real Madrid had recently played a very tough game against Barcelona and were clearly strained, while Bayern Munchen had reserved eight of the men who played tonight in last weekend's Bundesliga clash. Neither side scored and a penalty shootout had to take place.

Alaba netted the first penalty for Bayern Munchen and Neuer managed to save Ronaldo's. Mario Gomez also defeated Casillas and Neuer again cleared a penalty, this time from Kaka. Bayern were 2-0 up and everything seemed lost until Iker Casillas, the best goalkeeper in the world, pulled rank and saved two shots, equalling the score. Unfortunately, Ramos sent his penalty over the crossbar and Schweinsteiger netted the winner for the Germans.

The Bernabeu crowd gave their team a standing ovation. Real Madrid deserved more and were better than Bayern in both legs, but luck wasn't on their side. Despite everything, the German side deserves to be congratulated for reaching the final and for the great season it's had in the competition.
► PLAYER MOVEMENTS

Real Madrid

  • 1I. CasillasGoalkeeper
  • 17Á. ArbeloaYellow Card
  • 3PepeYellow Card
  • 4S. Ramos
  • 12Marcelo
  • 6S. Khedira
  • 14X. Alonso
  • 22Á. Di MaríaSubstitution Off
  • 10M. ÖzilSubstitution Off
  • 7C. RonaldoGoal (P)Goal
  • 9K. BenzemaSubstitution Off

Substitutes

  • 18R. Albiol
  • 15Fábio Coentrão
  • 11E. GraneroYellow CardSubstitution On
  • 20G. HiguaínSubstitution On
  • 13A. Adán
  • 21J. Callejón
  • 8KakáSubstitution On
Coach
 
José Mourinho

Bayern Munich

  • 1M. NeuerGoalkeeper
  • 21P. Lahm
  • 17J. Boateng
  • 28H. BadstuberYellow Card
  • 27D. AlabaYellow Card
  • 31B. Schweinsteiger
  • 30Luiz GustavoYellow Card
  • 10A. RobbenGoal (P)Yellow Card
  • 39T. Kroos
  • 7F. RibérySubstitution Off
  • 33M. Gomez

Substitutes

  • 22J. Butt
  • 23D. Pranjic
  • 44A. Tymoshchuk
  • 13Rafinha
  • 26D. Contento
  • 11I. Olic
  • 25T. MüllerSubstitution On
Coach
 
Jupp Heynckes

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