Without the injured ÖFB star David Alaba, the Spanish champions knocked the Munich team around Konrad Laimer out of the premier class in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday thanks to two late goals from “Joker” Joselu with a 2-1 (0-0). In the final on June 1st at Wembley Stadium in London, Borussia Dortmund and Marcel Sabitzer are waiting for the “Royals”.
After the thrilling 2-2 first leg, “Joker” Alphonso Davies brought coach Thomas Tuchel’s Munich team on course for the final with a powerful shot into the far corner once morest the run of play (68′). But Joselu, who came on as a substitute in the 81st minute, deservedly shot coach Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrilenians into the final with a brace (88th, 91st) in a furious final phase.
Image: (APA/AFP/JAVIER SORIANO)
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Image: (APA/AFP/JAVIER SORIANO)
Bayern, who remain without a title for the first time in twelve years, were once once more left behind in the duel with the Madrilenians following 2014 (semi-finals), 2017 (quarter-finals) and 2018 (semi-finals). In just over three weeks there will be an Austrian duel, at least on paper. Sabitzer might become the sixth Austrian professional to win the most important European competition with BVB; it would be the fourth CL title for Alaba, who has been forced to watch since December due to a torn cruciate ligament.
In the eagerly awaited second leg, Tuchel surprisingly relied on youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic; the 20-year-old was preferred over Leon Goretzka and worked the central midfield together with Laimer. In addition, attacker Serge Gnabry started instead of Thomas Müller, and Matthijs de Ligt, who was fit once more, started in defense for Minjae Kim, who made a mistake in the first leg. At Real, only right-back Daniel Carvajal returned to Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 following a suspension.
