In a seven-goal game, Bayern Munich eliminated Real Madrid this Wednesday (15) and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals. In Munich, the German team looked for a comeback in the final minutes and sealed their classification with a 4-3 victory after winning the first game 2-1.
There were five goals in the first half alone. The count opened 36 seconds into the match, when Manuel Neuer failed. Recognized for his skill with his feet, the experienced goalkeeper, 40, missed a pass outside the penalty area and served Arda Güler, who took advantage of the empty goal to finish from midfield.
The home team’s response came shortly after, in the 6th minute, also after a goalkeeping error. Poorly positioned in a corner kick and hampered by his teammates, Lunin saw Aleksandar Pavlović appear free to equalize with a header, giving Bayern a 3-2 lead on aggregate.
After the frantic start, the German team regained control of the match, almost always positioned in the attacking field, under pressure. For the Spanish team, the best bet was counterattacks, as they had difficulty maintaining possession of the ball and playing. And that’s how Real got away with a free kick on the edge of the area.
In a new private duel with Güler, Neuer failed again. This time, the goalkeeper took a while to react after the free kick and saw the young Turk, 21, score his second goal of the match, at 29. The number 1 still touched the ball, but it was already inside the net.
The move, however, did not change the outlook of the game. Bayern remained pressing, pushing Real into their defense, with little space for the visitors to counterattack. Even the German team’s defenders launched themselves into the attack. That’s how defender Upamecano gave a beautiful assist to top scorer Harry Kane to leave everything equal again in Munich, at 38 — and restore the German advantage on aggregate.
Real had no other option than to continue trying to mount their counterattacks. In the 40th minute, Vinicius Junior advanced at speed and hit the crossbar. After the move, he called his teammates to attack. Two minutes later, now as a waiter, he served Mbappé, who invaded the area alone and scored the third.
This season, Bayern Munich had conceded three goals in just one match, when they were defeated by Arsenal in the first phase of the Champions League. In 45 minutes, Real Madrid broke through the solid German defense.
The final stage was more truncated, with both teams more tired. Although they continued to attack, extra time seemed a more likely scenario. But everything changed after 41 minutes. First, the Spanish team went one down when Camavinga was sent off after receiving a second yellow. Then, at 44, Luiz Dias
At 44, Luis Díaz scored Bayern’s third, tied the game and left the classification in the hands of the German team. But there was still time for a comeback, in the final minute, with Olise, making it 4-3.
In the next phase, the German team will face Paris Saint-Germain. The French team advanced to the semi-finals on Tuesday (14), after eliminating Liverpool, with two 2-0 victories.
In the other bracket, Arsenal also sealed their classification this Wednesday (15). After beating Sporting 1-0 in the first leg, the English team held on to a goalless draw in London and will now face Atlético de Madrid in the remainder of the competition.
The first legs of the Champions League semi-finals will be played on April 28th and 29th. The return games are scheduled for May 5th and 6th. The decision will be on the 30th.
