The Champions League semi-final between Bayern and Real Madrid remains poised on a knife-edge after the Spaniards edged home by the only goal of the game in Wednesday’s first leg. Holders Munich were frustrated for long spells as the Spanish giants opted to shut up shop but the home side’s deadly effectiveness on the break ultimately earned them a precious lead.
The 80,354 capacity crowd at the magnificent Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in the Spanish capital saw Munich dominate the first-half possession but fail to create clear-cut chances, as Real defended in depth and launched sporadic but dangerous forays, Karim Benzema finishing off a trademark counter-attack to hand the home side a 19th-minute lead. Carlo Ancelotti’s team showed much more adventure as the game opened up in the second period, but FCB launched a late onslaught and sub Mario Götze came within an ace of levelling. It was not to be and Pep Guardiola’s men now have a deficit to overturn in next week’s second leg.
The Bavarians are back in action on Saturday afternoon at home to Werder Bremen, before the decisive return against the Spanish giants at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
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