Bayern Munich and Real Madrid played out a true footballing spectacle at the Allianz Arena last night as the away side ran out winners. Midfield maestro, Arturo Vidal gave Bayern the lead just before the half-hour mark with a bullet header.
Despite Real Madrid starting the game relatively well, Munich undid the current holders from a set-piece with ease. Just five minutes before Vidal's clinical header, Manuel Neuer pulled off a world-class save to deny Karim Benzema from a header.
Munich went for the juggler at the end of the first half, and after winning a penalty, Vidal skied the shot over the bar from 12-yards out. Madrid punished Carlo Ancelotti’s side of their lack of ‘clinical-ness’ just after half-time when Cristiano Ronaldo expertly volleyed Los Blancos back into the contest. The challenge of overcoming the holders became even more difficult when Javi Martinez was shown a second yellow card for hacking down Ronaldo.
A game of two halves then saw Madrid equalise in the opening minutes of the second half and bury home their advantage in the 76th minute when Ronaldo poked Madrid into a surprising, but deserving lead. The game ended 1-2 to Zinedine Zidane’s side, and the Madristas have a crucial goal lead to take home along with two important away goals.
Can Bayern come back?
Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer – 9/10
A solid performance once again from the German goalkeeper who returned to the starting line-up after his injury. Neuer remains the king of the goalkeeping position and looked as good as ever tonight without being tested too frequently. However, his 18th minute save to deny Benzema was truly world-class. Add that to his stunning reflex save from Gareth Bale’s header in the 55th minute and we have our Man of the match.
Phillip Lahm – 6/10
Great first-half, but Lahm was isolated and weak at times in the second. The lack of cover from Robben after Martinez’ dismissal was evident and somewhat costly.
Javi Martinez – 4/10
Martinez has divided opinion among supporters in Germany following his injury battles, but the former Bilbao player was excellent at times against Madrid. His form has peaked once again, with him keeping Benzema relatively quite for the entire contest – until his dismissal on the hour mark. He ultimately cost his side the tie.
Jerome Boateng – 7/10
Boateng was a cool customer once more and evidently learnt from his mistakes against Madrid in 2014. Regardless the German was calm, collective and a leader for the Bavarian giants when under pressure from Madrid’s fruitful attack.
David Alaba – 7/10
The battle of the two of the world's best left-backs was won by Alaba on this occasion. The Austrian was bombing forward causing problems for Madrid's right side of the defence. As ever, Alaba was his reliable self in defence when called upon.
Xavi Alonso – 7/10
Alonso controlled the tempo of the game against his former side. At 35-years-old, he still continued to show his ability despite retiring at the end of the season. Faultless in possession, Alonso didn't struggle with the speed of the game either.
Thiago – 7/10
Not his best game for the Bavarians this season, but that shouldn’t be held against the player who is performing better than any other midfielder in European football currently. Unfortunately for him, the loss of Lewandowski proved difficult for him to create guilt edge chances. However, he still managed to control the game in front of the Madrid penalty area in the first half.
Arturo Vidal – 8/10
The midfield battle-axe for Bayern last night. Vidal never allowed the pass masters of Modric or Kroos a moment on the ball. His crunching tackles were expertly timed on a regular basis. He gave Bayern the lead with a monstrous header and was sensational throughout the contest – forgetting that penalty miss though.
Arjen Robben – 6/10
A lot has been made of Robben’s performance against Dortmund last weekend, but the Dutchman struggled to create much due to Marcelo’s excellent man-marking. His usual left foot, cut inside, shoot, was relatively limited.
Franck Ribery – 5/10The France native certainly lacked that fearsome stride going forward, but barely put a foot wrong as Bayern went in search of that much-needed home advantage. Dani Carvajal kept Ribery relatively isolated on the left-side of Bayern’s midfield.
Thomas Muller – 3/10
26 goal Bundesliga striker, Robert Lewandowski proved an enormous loss for Bayern, and Muller didn't prove to be capable of filling the Polish international’s boots last night – that’s not denying his quality either.
Substitutes
Juan Bernat – 5/10
Good performance from Bernat under difficult situations, but Madrid failed to test the Spaniard's defensive vulnerability.
Douglas Costa – 6/10
Performed better than Ribery despite playing less than a third of the contest. Looked far more dangerous out wide when in possession (which wasn’t often).
Kingsley Coman – N/A
Real Madrid
Keylor Navas – 5/10
If you need an example as to why Madrid are keen on a new goalkeeper, watch a repeat of last night’s game. Unlike Neuer, Navas was a constant woe for Madrid last night and looked relatively shaky in possession or whenever tested.
Dani Carvajal – 7/10
Not mentioned during the game, and indeed went under the radar, but Carvajal marshalled Ribery throughout the contest without receiving much support from the players more forward positioned than him. Arguably Madrid’s best player last night.
Nacho – 5/10
Poor once again and allowed the Munich attackers too much room for the first goal. Certainly not the defender Zidane should consider replacing Pepe with.
Sergio Ramos – 5/10
As mentioned regarding Nacho, Ramos has looked a shadow of himself at times this season without Pepe, and alongside Nacho, he looked far from the world-class player he has proved himself to be. Looked the only real leader for Madrid last night under pressure, however.
Marcelo – 7/10
As mentioned, the battle of the two best left-backs was narrowly won by Alaba considering his side’s performance. Going forward, Marcelo was unable to get out of his own half at times, but he remained defensively solid nonetheless. The second half saw Marcelo cause the Munich backline some serious worrying moments.
Toni Kroos – 6/10
A tough return to the club that paved the path for such a successful career. Despite his recent run of form, Kroos was totally outclassed by Munich’s red-hot midfield. He failed to have a major impact on proceedings.
Luka Modric – 7/10
Unlike Alonso, Modric hasn’t aged as well as his former team-mate. Nonetheless, he was the constant link between Madrid and their front-three. Unfortunately for him, Thiago outshined him throughout the contest.
Casemiro – 5/10
Tasked with the same mission as Vidal, it was the Chilean who walked away from the contest out mastering the Brazilian midfielder. Casemiro was chasing shadows for the entire first-half but was fortunate to have walked away without injury following a collision just before half-time. Certainly not Madrid’s worst player on the night.
Gareth Bale – 5/10
Bale has struggled to recapture form following his return from injury, and the Welsh wonder failed to really test Alaba on the right of Bayern’s defence. Madrid will need him for the second leg desperately.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 8/10
Is the age of Messi and Ronaldo dominating European football coming to an end? A question to make the mind ponder, but on last night’s evidence, would you be wrong to agree? Nonetheless, his finishes would have any doubters of his game looking increasingly stupid.
Karim Benzema – 3/10
The France international nearly gave Madrid the lead only for Neuer to deny him with a world class save. Almost close to nothing regarding his impact on the match.
Substitutes
Marco Asensio – 6/10
Performed significantly better than Bale in less than 30 minutes and provided an unbelievable pass for Ronaldo’s second goal.
James Rodriguez – N/A
Matteo Kovacic – N/A
