Before the 2024 semifinal first-leg clash, Real Madrid had played Bayern in six Champions League meetings since Bayern Munich knocked Madrid out in 2012. Real Madrid had won five of those and lost once, completing the double over the German behemoth twice, and going on to win the trophy on all of those occasions.
For the 30th April clash, Carlo Ancelotti started with his youthful trio known for their pacey attacks. Bayern Munich also made three changes to the team that beat Frankfurt on Saturday. Kim Min-jae replaced the injured Matthijs de Ligt.
Being in the starting 11 guaranteed that Rodrigo played his 50th game in the competition. Thibaut Courtois and Serge Gnabry were named on the Real Madrid and Bayern benches respectively on their returns from injury, while Eric Dier’s journey from the Spurs reserves to a Champions League semi-final was one to savor.
Officiating was Clément Turpin, the French referee who was in charge the last time Real Madrid won the Champions League in 2022 against Liverpool.
Real Madrid Cancels Bayern Munich’s Fast Start
In the 1st minute, Leroy Sané forced a big save from the Real Madrid goalkeeper, Lunin, who denied Bayern an early goal. In the 5th minute, Musiala forced a first Bayern corner. Harry Kane conjured up a shot from a half chance less than a minute later and Sané blazed over another chance a minute later with Real Madrid playing catch up to the German side.
In the 9th minute, Harry Kane saw Lunin off his line and tried a shot from the center circle. Musiala also sent a shot blazing over the bar in the 12th minute making it three times inside the opening 12 minutes that Bayern had had a chance to shoot at Madrid.
The pressure continued until the 23rd minute when Kroos sent Vinicius Jr. through on goal for the 14-time champions to strike first in the semifinal. It was Vinicius Jr., the man who won the trophy for Real Madrid back in 2022, who slotted the ball past Manuel Neuer.
By the end of the first half, Bayern had had more shots and possession than Madrid, but Madrid had scored with their only shot on target.
Bayern Munich Stage A Comeback
Bayern Munich head coach, Thomas Tuchel, replaced Leon Goretzka with Raphaël Guerreiro at the start of the second half.
In the 54th minute, Leroy Sané, who hadn’t scored a goal in all competitions since October 28th, cut in from the right wing, easily getting the better of Ferland Mendy, burst into the Real Madrid penalty area, and smashed a shot past the goalkeeper to level the game.
Two minutes later, Jamal Musiala also cut into the penalty area, this time from the left wing, and tried to wriggle between Lucas Vázquez, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde. Vázquez then brought him down for a penalty which Harry Kane calmly scored both to complete the turnaround and to make it eight goals he’s scored in the Champions League for the season and 43 goals in 43 games in all competitions.
84th-minute Penalty Keeps Madrid’s Unbeaten Run
All to play for next week ⚖️#UCL pic.twitter.com/yCcBG2ThO5
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 30, 2024
The game was more evenly matched after the Harry Kane penalty with both teams attacking each other relentlessly. Harry Kane came close with a shot that deflected out for a corner, and his fellow former Tottenham Hotspur teammate, Eric Dier, saw a tame header from a corner saved by the goalkeeper.
In the 82nd minute, the game turned on its head again. Kim Min-jae brought Rodrygo down in the penalty box for the second penalty of the game. Like he did in the El Clásico, Vinicius Jr. stepped up and pegged Bayern Munich back to 2-2.
After Bayern defeated Real Madrid 3-1 on penalties in 2012 to set up the famous 2012 final with Chelsea, both teams have faced each other six times in three years.
In the 2013-14 semifinals, Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid demolished Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich 5-0 on aggregate. They later won the trophy after defeating Spanish rivals, Atlético Madrid in the final.
In the 2016-17 quarterfinals, it was Zinedine Zidane, Ancelotti’s assistant at the time of the 2014 semifinals, that led Madrid to demolish Bayern 6-3 on aggregate. At the time of the meeting, Bayern was managed by Carlo Ancelotti.
In the 2017-18 season, Jupp Heynckes was once again managing Bayern when they met Madrid in the semifinals. It was a much closer fought match with Madrid edging the German club out 4-3 on aggregate. The second leg of the tie was the first time the Spanish club would draw instead of winning a game against Bayern in six meetings.
Also Read: Thomas Tuchel: Fan Petition Absolutely Doesn’t Bother Him
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