Bayern snatch last-gasp victory over Real; Gomez ensures Madrid’s dire record in Munich continues
The clash between these European giants boasted 13 Champions League trophies between the two sides, and a particularly damning statistic that Real Madrid had never beaten Bayern Munich away.
That fact remains the name tonight after Bayern claimed a first-leg advantage thanks to Mario Gomez’s last-minute strike.
The visitors carved the first opportunity; Mesut Ozil splitting the defence with a ball for Karim Benzema, with the Frenchman firing high, and forcing an impressive save from Manuel Neur.
Franck Ribery claimed he was fouled as he burst into Madrid’s penalty area, with replays showing that there was minimal contact between him and Sergio Ramos.
If the advantage was applied in favour of the defence on that occasion, it was Bayern who benefited just minutes later. Ribery lashed a half volley into the bottom left of the Madrid goal, after Ramos failed to deal with an out swinging corner.
Appeals were made for offside with the Munich player stood near Iker Casillas as the ball was struck, however he was adjudged to not be interfering with play.
To disallow the goal for offside would have been as harsh as awarding the penalty for the hosts moments earlier.
This goal was enough to inspire the German side, and as the game progressed, so did their play, as they continued to stamp their authority on the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo failed to capitalise on two free kicks, from ranges that the Portuguese winger has become an expert at.
Five minutes from half time Benzema almost pulled his team level, though his shot was straight down the throat of Neur, who quickly released his side into an impressive counter attack.
Casillas was equal to Gomez’s shot, which had looked set to fly into the top left corner, and the half finished with Jupp Heynckes’ men in the lead.
The second half began in a similar fashion to the first; with Real Madrid out of the traps the quickest.
They exerted a high tempo passing game on Bayern, but it was not until the 52nd minute that their dominance was rewarded.
Ronaldo really should have scored as he went through with just the keeper to beat, but his shot was saved and the German side were unable to clear their lines.
A ball back across goal allowed Ronaldo to tee up Ozil, who calmly slotted the ball home from close range.
The goal only served to galvanise Bayern Munich, in the same way that scoring one had done in the first half.
The home team looked the most likely to score, with Madrid being limited to counter attacks that were few and far between.
Jose Mourinho acknowledged this need to defend as he replaced Ozil with Marcelo, but the waves of German attacks continued, with the lion share falling to Gomez.
The in form forward saw two headed efforts fall into the relieved Casillas’ arms, before Ramos nicked the ball from his foot, just as he was about to pull the trigger yards form goal. He could well have been awarded a penalty, as Fabio Coentrao crashed into him shortly after the tackle.
Mourinho’s side looked less willing to push for their first historic win, and happy to settle for a draw and an away goal.
This was not to be, and Gomez finally took his chance, shortly before full time.
He was able to connect with a crossed ball, sliding across the face of the goal, and as the net bulged, the stadium erupted.
The match finished as history books suggested it would; Bayern have done enough to ensure they go in to the second leg with a real chance of qualifying for the Champions League final, to be played in their own country.
Matt Davies
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