Real Madrid took a huge step towards their first Champions League final in 12 years as Karim Benzema’s first-half goal gave them a 1-0 first-leg lead over holders Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Frenchman was on hand to turn home Fabio Coentrao’s cross on 19 minutes and Madrid’s advantage could have been even greater had Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel di Maria not missed fine chances before the break.
Bayern had the overwhelming majority of possession but failed to convert it into many sights of goal as Iker Casillas’ save from Mario Goetze five minutes from time was the only significant stop the Spanish captain was forced into all evening. Defeat leaves the Germans with it all to do next Tuesday, if they are to continue their quest to become the first side to retain the trophy in the Champions League era.
Ronaldo was returning after four games out with a hamstring injury as he replaced Gareth Bale, who had been suffering from flu in the days before the game, in the only change from the Real side that beat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final last week. And after a bright early spell by Bayern, it was Madrid who created the clearer openings in the first-half.
Real stung the Germans with a stunning counter-attack to open the scoring as Ronaldo’s ball down the left for Coentrao was timed to perfection and the Portuguese full-back’s low cross was tapped home at the back post by Benzema.
Ronaldo missed a gilt-edged chance to make it 2-0 when another quick break caught Bayern hopping and the World Player of the Year blasted over Benzema’s low cross from close range. Di Maria was next to go close as he latched onto a deep cross at the back post but wastefully volleyed over with just Neuer to beat.
The second-half produced more of the same as Neuer was forced into an early save by Ronaldo. However, the game came to life in the final 20 minutes after a raft of substitutions by both sides. Bale replaced the clearly not 100 per cent fit Ronaldo 16 minutes from time whilst Raphael Varane came on for the injured Pepe for Real.
Guardiola, meanwhile, introduced Javi Martinez, Mario Goetze and Thomas Mueller in the search for an away goal. And it was two of the substitutes who combined to create the visitors’ best chance of the night as Mueller’s dinked cross found Goetze free inside the area and his low drive was brilliantly saved by Iker Casillas.
There was one final moment of controversy deep into stoppage time as Mueller tumbled under a challenge from Xabi Alonso inside the area, but English referee Howard Webb waved away the protests for a penalty to condemn Bayern to a third defeat in six games in all competitions.
Real ‘athletes’ too much for Bayern, says pep Guardiola
Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola said his side had struggled to contain Real Madrid’s pace on the counter-attack as Los Blancos secured a 1-0 advantage from the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Wednesday.
‘Madrid have athletes. They are footballers, but they are real athletes,’ said the former Barcelona boss after suffering his first defeat in eight games as a coach at the Santiago Bernabeu.
‘It is easy to say we need to play more vertically, but the quicker we move the ball forward, the quicker it comes back and that can be very dangerous for us,’ he added.
Bayern enjoyed 71 per cent possession but failed to create many clear-cut opportunities as Madrid defended in numbers. And Guardiola expects more of the same when his side try to turn the tie around on home soil at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
‘I think the next game will be exactly the same. We need to control their counter-attacks. Madrid are a complete team and it is true that not scoring away from home makes the tie very difficult. However, we will be at home, with our fans behind us, and we will give everything to reach the final,’ Guardiola said.