The Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich was wide open ahead of Wednesday night’s return at the Santiago Bernabéu. The first meeting in Germany ended 2-2.
“Los Blancos” then made a change in their starting eleven compared to the last time it went. Dani Carvajal was back from suspension and replaced Lucas Vázquez at right back.
In Bayern, Aleksandar Pavlović, 20, somewhat unexpectedly got the chance from the start instead of established Leon Goretzka. Matthijs de Ligt and Serge Gnabry also came into the eleven instead of Kim Min-jae and Thomas Müller.
– Pavlović before Goretzka, that stands out. Bayern played this weekend and he didn’t do one of his best performances but still gets the confidence, said expert Jens Fjellström in TV4 Play’s pre-studio.
Real Madrid opened the match strongly and were immediately just millimeters away from taking the lead when Rodrygo – alone in front of goal – missed Dani Carvajal’s low cross with his big toe.
A moment later, a strange sequence unfolded.
Two balls were then on the field but “Los Blancos” were allowed to throw a throw-in and from there managed to create a dangerous situation in the offensive penalty area. Vinicius Junior hit the post first, following which Rodrygo failed to convince Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal on the return.
– Very mysterious situation where two balls were in play, said TV4 Play’s commentator Lasse Granqvist.
Expert Jens Fjellström filled in:
– That’s what Bayern players are annoyed regarding: That two balls were in play on the field at the same time. And they are absolutely right regarding that. The play should have been blown and the throw should not have been allowed to go in. Added to that was the situation. Giant save by Manuel Neuer then and I think it was the best for the situation.
The semi-final evened out somewhat and the teams took turns creating chances in the first half.
For example, Harry Kane fired a sharp long-range shot that went just outside Andrij Lunin’s one post. Just before the half-time break, Manuel Neuer was responsible for an outstanding save on a pass that swept past all Real Madrid players and for a second seemed to stop Bayern Munich’s star goalkeeper.
The score was 0-0 at half time.
At the beginning of the second half, Rydrygo was up front and threatened once more. Real Madrid’s brass forward was first on a cross and slotted the ball just outside the far post.
– It’s incredibly close! That joint goes outside with a margin of a ball’s length, Granqvist exclaimed in the broadcast.
“Los Blancos” were the closest to a lead goal following the break and pressed to get dividends. With just over half an hour to go, Vinicius Junior veered into the pitch and fired a shot that forced Manuel Neuer into another sweaty save.
– He forces the best out of his goalkeeping game to keep Real Madrid 1-0 away, praised Lasse Granvist.
But instead of a home goal, Bayern took the lead through substitute Alphonso Davies in the 68th minute.
The left-footed runner turned in from his edge and fired a shot with his right foot that deliciously found its way into the far crossbar.
– His first goal in his Champions League career. Talk regarding timing! roared Granqvist.
– The goal comes in a period where Real Madrid controls and dominates the match the most. But that will do as an end – it’s awfully qualified! And it’s a complete cold shower for Real Madrid, Fjellström added.
Just minutes later, a Bayern player steered the ball into his own cage. But in the same situation – but elsewhere – Nacho Fernández had put both hands on the face of Joshua Kimmich, who fell to the ground.
The goal was therefore ruled out following VAR review.
– Two hands up in the face won’t let the referee through, stated Fjellström.
But in the 88th came the equalizer. Manuel Neuer fired home a long-range shot, and then substitute striker Joselu was alert in the penalty area as he slotted home for 1-1 (3-3 on aggregate) from close range.
– It’s not the best shooting position. You think it’s a routine save for Neuer, but it’s a nasty bounce right in front of him that makes him unable to keep the ball. Possibly he will steer it to the side, Jens Fjellström said in the broadcast.
– Real Madrid should never be counted out!
And that was the beginning of an unlikely turnaround.
Three minutes later, Joselu – who was replaced in the 81st minute – came right at a post alone in front of the goal and bumped in 2-1 to Real Madrid. The goal passed a VAR review for suspected offside, and the Spaniard was able to collect his second goal of the evening.
– He is an absolutely colossal hero for Real Madrid right now! roared Granqvist.
There were no more goals in the match, even though the visitors forced their way to the end. Real Madrid won the match 2-1 (4-3 on aggregate) and are ready for the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1.
There awaits Borussia Dortmund as resistance.
– The turnaround was magical, says Jens Fjellström following the final whistle.
TV4’s experts in the post-studio:
– It is ridiculous. They turn the game around in an incredible way. World stars like Vinicius Junior had a show today but it is a squad player like Joselu who decides. That says a lot regarding the team that coach Carlo Ancelotti has built, says Vicki Blommé.
– What is so illogical is that Real Madrid are superior, then they concede a goal. It is illogical that Neuer makes a mistake in the equalizer, Siavoush Fallahi fills in.
– There is something special regarding Real Madrid in this tournament. They can create magic in this arena like no other club can. It is probably the heaviest arena in Europe to come to in a final away match.
Henok Goitom:
– There will be something magical in the arena in the last ten minutes. Real madrid have turned games around here so many times before.
Carlo Ancelotti was interviewed by TV4 Play as the clock approached midnight:
– What can I say? It happened once more. And I’m telling you: It will happen once more in the future. It’s magic. The magic of the arena and the supporters. It’s Real Madrid. We are very happy. To reach the final of the Champions League is very difficult but this squad and the atmosphere is fantastic, says the Real Madrid coach.
– I was a bit worried when they scored, the match became more difficult then. But we thought we might come back and we did.
Ancelotti also rejects Joselu:
– Two fantastic goals. A great striker, he hasn’t played much but he has scored a lot.
Startelvor:
Real Madrid: Lunin – Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy – Valverde, Tchouaméni, Kroos – Bellingham – Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior.
Bayern Munich: Neuer – Kimmich, de Ligt, Dier, Mazraoui – Laimer, Pavlovic – Sané, Musiala, Gnabry – Kane.
