Football - Munich Drama: Late Real Penalty Leaves Bayern Shocked
The struggle for the Wembley dream has become a challenge for true contenders for FC Bayern. Following a tremendous comeback with goals from Leroy Sané (53rd min.) and penalty taker Harry Kane (57th), Real Madrid startled Munich on Tuesday evening in the first round of the Champions League classic with a late penalty goal from Vinicius Junior (83rd) to bring it to 2:2 (0:1). The Brazilian also netted the first goal for the Whites (24') prior to halftime following a stunning pass from football maestro Toni Kroos.
Yet, all is not lost for coach Thomas Tuchel and his team, even though Munich must exceed themselves in the semi-final second leg in Spain on Wednesday if they hope to visit London again eleven years following their Wembley triumph. As in 2013, their opponents in the final could be Borussia Dortmund, who will be attempting to defeat Paris Saint-Germain in the other semi-final.
A night made for soccer excitement
There could not have been more ideal circumstances for this intriguing clash: A beautiful warm summer evening and a spine-tingling atmosphere. Bayern fans welcomed their team onto the field with a huge banner featuring Franz Beckenbauer. The "soccer emperor," who passed away on January 7, guided Bayern to their first triumph in the national championship tournament fifty years ago.
The camaraderie in the locker room quickly vanished when the whistle blew - and it was Bayern who came out guns blazing. After around 40 seconds, Sané was thwarted by a reflex save from Real keeper Andrij Lunin. In the seventh minute, Sané narrowly missed the target with his second attempt, as did Kane (9) with an amusing lob almost from the halfway line when Lunin was well outside his box. A few minutes later, Jamal Musiala also missed (12). An exhilarating beginning.
Phenomenal pass from Kroos with masterful setup work
However, Real wouldn't be Real if Carlo Ancelotti's team didn't make it through this phase without getting too tense. It was national team returnee Kroos, in particular, who took charge of the visitors' game. And it wasn't just that: His world-class pass through midfield and the Bayern defense merely required a finish from Vinicius Junior. Kroos threw his arms up in triumph in the center circle.
The goal conceded with the first opportunity had an influence on Bayern, who were missing Matthijs de Ligt but had recently recovered players in Musiala, Sané, and Konrad Laimer. Tuchel later became vocal with Sané and Leon Goretzka. They returned shortly before halftime with a powerful free-kick just wide of the goal from Kane (42').
The striking success that shifted the game
Tuchel made alterations at the break, replacing Goretzka with the stronger Raphael Guerreiro. Sané moved to the right flank for the time being, while Musiala played on the right. The message was clear: at least an equalizer was required. However, Kroos (51) almost scored the visitors' second goal. However, substitute Manuel Neuer denied German Real forward Kroos' shot with a brilliant save.
Subsequently, it occurred on the other side, and the Real composure faded: Sané breached through and, like Robben, who was observing the game from the spot as a commentator, struck a left-footed shot into the far corner. His first goal in six months. Yet, this was not the end, as Musiala was fouled in the penalty area shortly after that. Penalty. The responsibility was handed to Kane. Fans Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß also cheered enthusiastically in the stands, the 240-second double strike reinvigorating the squad.
Kane narrowly missed the target (66'), Eric Dier couldn't beat Lunin with a header moments later, and Min-Jae Kim's foul on Rodrygo ended Bayern's dominant phase and transformed the second leg into a heated dance in Madrid.
Real Madrid squad Facts on the semi-finals Bayern squad Champions League fixtures This season's semifinalists Season statistics Champions League
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Source: www.stern.de
