FC Bayern still have their sights set on the Champions League final, but have given away a better starting position for the decisive semi-final second leg.
The battle for the Wembley dream is turning into a test for true champions for FC Bayern.
After a magnificent comeback with goals from Leroy Sané (53rd minute) and penalty taker Harry Kane (57th), Real Madrid shocked Munich on Tuesday evening in the first round of the Champions League classic with a late penalty goal from Vinicius Junior (83rd) to make it 2:2 (0:1).
The Brazilian had also scored the first goal for the Whites (24′) before the break after a world-class pass from footballing genius Toni Kroos.
However, everything is still possible for coach Thomas Tuchel and his team, even if Munich will have to surpass themselves in the semi-final second leg in Spain next Wednesday if they want to travel to London again eleven years after the Wembley triumph. As in 2013, their opponents in the final could be Borussia Dortmund, who will be aiming to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the other semi-final
The conditions could not have been better for this thrilling clash: A glorious balmy summer evening and a goosebump atmosphere. Bayern supporters welcomed their team onto the pitch with a huge banner featuring Franz Beckenbauer. The “soccer emperor”, who died on January 7, had captained Bayern to their first triumph in the national championship competition 50 years ago.
The cordiality that prevailed between the teams in the dressing room was over as soon as the whistle blew – and it was Bayern who really put the pressure on. After around 40 seconds, Sané was denied by a reflex save from Real goalkeeper Andrij Lunin. In the seventh minute, Sané missed the target with his second chance, as did Kane (9) with a cheeky lob almost from the halfway line when Lunin was well outside his box. A little later, Jamal Musiala missed (12). A rousing start.
Steep pass from Kroos with world-class preparatory work
But Real wouldn’t be Real if Carlo Ancelotti’s team didn’t get through this phase without getting too nervous. It was national team returnee Kroos in particular who now took more control of the visitors’ game. And not for that: His world-class pass through midfield and the Bayern defense only needed to be finished off by Vinicius Junior. Kroos threw his arms up in triumph in the center circle.
The goal conceded with the first chance had an effect on Bayern, who were without Matthijs de Ligt but were able to field three recently injured players in Musiala, Sané and Konrad Laimer. In the meantime, Tuchel talked wildly to Sané and Leon Goretzka. They only came back shortly before the break with a powerful free-kick just wide of the goal from Kane (42′).
The double strike that turned the game around
Tuchel reacted at the break, bringing on the stronger Raphael Guerreiro for Goretzka. Sané moved to the right flank for the time being, while Musiala tried his hand on the right. The motto was clear: at least an equalizer was needed. But Kroos (51) almost scored the visitors’ second goal. However, fellow substitute Manuel Neuer saved the German Real striker’s shot with a brilliant save.
And then it happened on the other side and suddenly the Real calm was over: Sané broke through and, like Robben, who was watching the game from the spot as a pundit, struck a left-footed shot into the far corner. His first goal in six months. But that was not all, Musiala was fouled in the penalty area just a short time later. Penalty. A matter for Kane. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß also applauded enthusiastically in the stands, the 240-second double strike releasing new energy.
Kane missed the goal by centimetres (66′), Eric Dier failed to beat Lunin with a header seconds later, before Min-Jae Kim’s foul on Rodrygo put an end to Bayern’s dominant phase and turned the second leg into a very hot dance in Madrid.