Champions League Semi Final 1st Leg Observations

Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid

Bayern's first loss at home this season was clinched by a slick counter attack from Real after a huge individual error by Rafinha, who sent a pass straight to Vasquez. He passed to Asensio, who calmly lifted the ball home for the winner and a second away goal to leave his side well placed to reach a 4th final in 5 years.

Bayern were the better side here, having 60% of possession. They created the better chances, and it was baffling how they only scored once. But one big error – just like at the same stage in 15/16 when Griezmann was allowed to run through for Atletico – is enough for Real Madrid to smell blood, and seal victory.

This squad is built to get through these ties. Real have seemingly done the impossible and made the Champions League their competition. The fact they will finish miles behind Barcelona domestically is irrelevant to how these players approach things in Europe, where they have figured out how to control games against the very best sides, and also to grind out results when not playing well.

It's no secret they got their luck as well, of course. Who would've thought that Robert Lewandowski, one of the best strikers of his generation, would miss two one-on-ones in the same game? Or foreseen the time when Thomas Muller inadvertently blocked an effort from Hummels on Real's goal-line? But Real just find a way to get through these games, and take a lead to Spain next week.

Zidane went conservative with his side, picking Vasquez ahead of Benzema or Bale and playing 4-5-1, with Isco nominally on the left, but in practice joining in with the central midfielders. Jupp Heynckes was the polar opposite, picking essentially 5 forwards. Javi Martinez protected the fort, but the rest went forward in an attempt to push Modric and Kroos back and force them to play cautiously.

For a Champions League semi-final between two heavyweights, it was a game low on moments of top quality. Instead it was a frantic game full of mistakes - perfect for the neutral. The viewer was denied watching the electric pace of Arjen Robben, however. Only 8 minutes had passed before the Dutchman was limping off. He isn’t as plagued with injuries as he once was, but at 34, you couldn’t but help wonder if Robben would again start a Champions League game of such magnitude, even though age so far hasn’t hampered him.

Father time isn’t afflicting Franck Ribery either. The 35-year-old was Bayern’s best player, forever jinking past his marker, whipping balls in and creating opportunities with his velvet touch. In an ever changing world, to see Ribery on that left flank for Bayern is quite comforting. Throughout the evening he was a threat, and if the rest of his teammates had played like him Bayern would’ve won.

The early sub didn’t affect the home side tactically - Muller shuffled out to the right, and Thiago came on to play midfield -  but at half-time, Thiago could reflect on a performance that at best could be described as a 2/10. The Spaniard was guilty of letting the simplest of passes go astray and had errant touches galore. Did he just not warm up properly, or was sulking from not starting? He’s one of my favourite players to watch, his elegant style very easy on the eye, but although he improved as the game went on it was an undignified display from a player who by now should be indispensable for club and country given his talent. The fact that he was on the bench to begin with said a lot about how his season has gone.

Isco's narrow position led to joy on the right for Bayern. Ronaldo was isolated.



Bayern's offensive style was relatively unaffected by the early subs and injuries 



 

Regardless of Thiago’s struggles, Bayern were on it. Muller and Ribery went close before Kimmich scored in the 28th minute after Real were caught upfield. James sent a class through ball into the path of the full-back, who sent the ball towards goal instead of crossing as Real were expecting. He caught the keeper out and sent the Munich crowd into fever pitch.

Six minutes later a second Bayern sub was made, with Boateng pulling his hamstring and coming off for Sule. It was a big blow for Bayern to lose one of the best Centre-Back’s in the world. In a way it was classic Bayern - the players falling apart the minute they physically exert themselves. Their terrible injury record going into these ties season after season is surely no coincidence - after weeks of strolling through Bundesliga 5-0 cakewalks, the sudden change in intensity is obviously hard to deal with. In this match they were without Vidal, Alaba, Neuer and Coman even before the in-game problems. Although, a club of Bayern's size and wealth should never use injuries as excuses.

Ribery had a huge chance of making it 2-0, but his touch was awful, incredibly heavy, and the chance was gone with Keylor Navas pouncing on the ball. James, on loan from Real remember, had the keeper scrambling when sending a curling effort just wide. Real’s 4-5-1 wasn’t working, leaving Ronaldo too isolated and the team too narrow leaving Bayern finding joy in the wide areas.  

Bayern looked dominant though, ready to press home their advantage, when, as has happened so many times for this Madrid side over the last few years, a stunning intervention turned the game. Usually it's Ronaldo who saves them, but this season Marcelo has not been far behind. The left-back - a description that seems increasingly invalid - backed up his goals against PSG and Juve with an outstanding strike on the half-volley of wicked power, arrowed right into the bottom corner. It was unstoppable, and now Bayern left the field level after a half they had completely dominated.

Zidane made a brave sub at the break, bringing on Asensio for Isco and switching to a wider, more classic 4-3-3. Immediately, Bayern were forced to retreat, and Ronaldo began to see more of the ball. This game was the first Champions League game in 12 – Twelve – that Ronaldo had failed to score in, breaking his record run of scoring in every single CL game this season. But he was still being double-marked, opening up space for the other attackers. Vasquez and Asensio benefited, being left free to combine for the winning goal after Rafinha’s suicidal pass from Bayern’s own corner.

Ronaldo did have the ball in the back of the net, with a scorching volley with his left foot from the edge of the area, although he had quite blatantly handballed to help control it. Amusingly, he acted with pure indignation when the referee chalked the goal off.

Zidane, as much as I still don't see what he offers most of the time, got his subs spot on, and bravely sent on Benzema when Carvajal couldn't continue, putting Vasquez at right back, knowing he was one of the few who could keep pace with Ribery. The Asensio goal had shocked the Germans, leading to anxious passing and groans from the crowd, and Benzema almost scored after another lax defensive pass but the keeper made a top save.

A final roll of the dice saw Bayern play without a holding player as Tolisso replaced Javi Martinez. It was a good change, and the chances were returning, with the game being played almost entirely deep in Real’s half. But Real were determined to leave with a lead - Navas saved from Ribery, Ramos put his body on the line for the team as always, heading away cross after cross, flying into tackles and setting his side on the break with long passes. Marcelo, after being caught out of position for Kimmich’s goal, was rock-solid in the last 20 minutes preventing Muller from getting past him, and having the same effect on James when he was pushed wide right. Last-second blocks were the order of the day from the holders, and when they failed Lewandowski helped Madrid out by poking wide from ten yards out when James had sent him clear. It was a costly miss, a rare one from the Polish marksman and Real saw out the game.

Real went away to the French champions-elect, and won. They went to the home of the Italian champions, and won. For the second year in a row they won at the Allianz Arena, beating the German champions in their own back yard. They have taken on Europe's best and beaten them – even this time without Ronaldo scoring. Can anyone stop this team?

 

Liverpool 5-2 Roma

I hate Liverpool, okay?

They’re very good. Salah was awesome, scoring twice and destroying the Roma backline despite them training with him for the last two years. Captain Jordan Henderson gave his defining European performance, dominating De Rossi and Nainggolan and constantly sending forward passes to the now famous front 3 of Firmino, Salah, and Mane.

Roma played a high line, rather making a rod for their own back against the rampant pace of Liverpool. Leaving Perotti and El Shaarawy out left the side lacking in attacking pace and flair as well. Salah put his team 2 in front in no time, refusing to celebrate, although the Kop went justifiably mental. As much as I despise Liverpool, even I had to admit it was something special for an English team to attack like this in a European Semi-final; committing so many men forward with carefree abandon. Klopp has given his team an absurd amount of confidence, happy to attack in almost any situation.

That situation included being 5-0 up, where Liverpool were still amazingly on the front foot and duly were punished and Roma stole two away goals at the end. This left them in the same situation as after the 4-1 defeat at the Nou Camp in the last round; namely, win 3-0 at home and we go through. But I find it very difficult to believe Liverpool and Salah won’t score in Rome.

Liverpool were brilliant, you can’t deny it. The loss of Oxlade-Chamberlain through injury (a cruel twist of fate that left me and no doubt Southgate concerned about the World Cup) was a mere fly in the ointment for them, with no change in their playing style and high pressing approach.

Firmino scored twice, Mane added another, but the night was about Salah, owner of 43 goals this season. That is, make no mistake, Ronaldo and Messi numbers. From a bloody Liverpool player. I just pray my man CR7 crushes his and the scousers dreams in Kiev in May. I don’t think I’d be able to cope with them lot chanting ‘6 times’.

4-0 and 4-1, Spain's numbers are up

I don't think anyone was expecting that. Well maybe that, but not those scorelines.

Two comprehensive thrashings of the Spanish Big Two left Europe stunned. The two results I'm referring to- Bayern's ruthless torture of Barcelona and Dortmund's rather surprising big win over Real Madrid- sent shock waves around Europe and the question was immediately asked. Was Barca's era over?

No. Can we move on now, please?
And why do I argue so? It is because that Bayern are easily the best team we have seen in the Champions League this season. The way they brushed aside Juventus in the quarters should've given people a clue, and if not that, how about their frankly amazing league record, almost 20 points ahead of the nearest challengers Borussia Dortmund? You could also use the evidence that Bayern, barring a remarkable scoreline in Camp Nou, will soon be in their 3rd final in four years. Man United did that, from 2008-2011. Barca haven't done so thus far. The point here is although the scoreline was embarrassing for the Catalans it has to be viewed as an anomaly, as Barca have never lost quite like that before, and when you think about their domestic displays this season, it was totally out of character. Mind you, Barca did play Marc Bartra at centre back. A less skilled player to reach the Champions League semi finals hasn't been seen since... well last year really. How Jose Bosingwa ever got into that team... but I digress. Bayern are awesome and their win was fully deserved, but Barca will be back, no question about that.

But anyway, to the match. First of all Bayern were considered favourites for their home leg at least, although the general opinion was that Barca would probably sneak through. They do have Messi, after all. But from where I was sitting, little Lionel (and boy, did Bayern's tough defending make him look small) could barely run. Clearly unfit, Barca were probably banking on his mere presence helping them towards victory. In Spain, a new verb has been coined to describe Barca's relationship with their star man- Messidependencia. Certainly in the second half, when Bayern really turned it on, it was as if subconsciously Barcelona were willing Messi to just take the ball and relieve some pressure with his magic. Without his considerable talents Barca were average, and the home side took full advantage, with devastating results. This was Barca's worst defeat in Europe since 1997, and no team has lost the first leg of a European Cup match by four or more goals and progressed to the next round.

Of course the media, as is its wont, focused on Pep Guardiola. What he had to do with it I wasn't sure. Didn't stop ITV from mentioning him about 50 times over the course of the programme though. What I saw though, was a performance from Bayern that was totally at odds with Guardiola's philosophy of playing the game. The brilliant counter attacking weapons of Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben would be wasted if forced to play possession based tika-taka football. As can be seen in last years final, although Bayern are perfectly comfortable being the better team and playing deep in the opponents half, the pace and dribbling skills of the two widemen were somewhat wasted. Back then Robben seemed to be on a one man mission to beat Chelsea and it was borderline ridiculous how many times Robben cut in from the right and blasted way over the crossbar. Not to mention the Dutchman's penalty miss in extra time.

But the ex Chelsea and Real flier has been humbled since then- being left on the bench many times this season by Jupp Heynckes. But he was deployed to full effect against Barca, even tracking back on occasions. Yes, Robben tracked back. Heynckes must have put something in his half time Lucozade.

In the first half Bayern did score through Thomas Muller, who is probably most famous in England for mullering (sorry) our finest in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Indeed, it was as if Clive and the rest of the 'experts' on ITV weren't aware he basically scores in every single big match Bayern play. Like last year against Chelsea for example. Anyway, with Muller acting in the second striker role, Bayern were as dynamic as any team can be, and he scored after a well worked corner. Having such a flexible and versatile all rounder in your squad must be a dream- not that it was all Muller's way though. Sergio Busquets marked him out of the rest of the half as Barca re grouped well initially. Xavi and Iniesta, as per usual, stood out for the Catalans with their touch and movement. But they weren't getting the luck. They probably should have had a penalty when Pedro was pushed over, Dante just got a toe on a cross that was destined for Messi, and an Iniesta cross fell inches away from Alexis Sanchez's forehead with Manuel Neuer totally out of position. But after half time Barca weren't recognisable as a unit, all fight and energy had seemingly disappeared.

Barca had already been beaten by Celtic and AC Milan so maybe it wasn't such a shock that they failed to contain the Bavarians when they stepped up a gear in the second half. Robben was in superb form as he tore into Jordi Alba with frightening regularity and Schweinsteiger controlled the game with his great use of the long crossfield ball to get Ribery and Robben away in space. The second goal came from such a tactic, where Robben forced a corner, and whipped it in himself, and Muller headed down for Mario Gomez to tap in. Sure Barca are a short side, but their ariel ability is not often questioned. For such a team to just give away goals from set pieces is criminal.

Bayern really turned the screw as Muller hit wide after collecting a pass from Jerome Boateng and then Ribery scuffed his effort after Robben ran at the Barca defence. The backline couldn't deal with the Dutchman and he inevitably scored a third after great footwork in the penalty area, helped by a rather robust 'challenge' by Muller preventing Alba from pressing Robben.

Bartra wasted his team's best opening when striking way too high over the bar from six yards and Bayern scored a fourth, a brilliant team goal, with sub Gustavo winning the ball, playing a one-two with the excellent Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger assuming control of the ball and then moving it on to Ribery, who attacked Dani Alves before crossing low for Muller to finish the match and the tie with a poachers goal. Bayern have proven their class and were rampant. Even the great Barcelona can't come back from this- and this crushing result was achieved without Germany internationals Badstuber and Toni Kroos.

But anyway, onto the Dortmund game. Now I thought Madrid would go through and I wasn't too impressed that Dortmund needed so much luck in the previous round against Malaga. But right from kick off Jurgen Klopp sent out his team to attack. The young manager who has received such high praise this season from European media outlets this season tactically outfought the celebrated coaching talents of Jose Mourinho as Borussia Dortmund dominated the whole game.

Of course it helped that Robert Lewandowski had the game of his life. Four goals against Real Madrid in a Champions League semi-final is a pretty decent return. There wasn't a single Dortmund player who had a poor game, unlike Real, who were lacklustre throughout. The game ignited from the off as Marco Reus, who was a constant thorn in the Real Madrid side, took on the visiting defence but his shot was saved by Diego Lopez, with Lewandowski failing to tuck in the rebound.
Soon after, Mario Gotze found some space on the left and picked out Lewandowski at the back post, and his crashing volley put the Germans one nil up. It was interesting to see the reaction of the Dortmund fans towards their young playmaker, understandably many were angry at Gotze for his 'betrayal' announced on Monday, but during the match the fans put aside their feelings and supported their team. Certainly some of the Real players seemed intimidated by the atmosphere, none more so than Luka Modric, surprisingly chosen ahead of Angel Di Maria by Mourinho. Modric barely got a kick all game and was made to look weak and tiny compared to Dortmund's aggressive captain Blaszczykowski who flew into tackles and gave Mesut Ozil no space in the middle of the park.

But when Dortmund had the ball, they were fantastic. Sven Bender was neat and tidy in possession but his partner Ilkay Gundogan had a dream of a game. Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso never got near him as his passing and technical ability was far better than his opponents. Gundogan's energy and elusive dribbling skills allowed him to find space all night and then look for Reus and Gotze in great attacking positions. Gundogan was superb and is clearly one of the best young players in the world in his position.


Madrid were being bullied, limited to a couple of Cristiano Ronaldo strikes from long range. But they did get a crucial away goal in the 43rd minute, thanks to a dreadful error from Mats Hummels, whose back pass went straight to Higuain, who drew the keeper out before squaring the ball to Ronaldo for a tap in.

But after the break Dortmund renewed their pledge to attack the Spanish champions. Lewandowski controlled a Reus drive before stroking the ball past Diego Lopez to give his side the lead once again. Mourinho looked glum, but before he could attempt to shake Real into life Lewandowski completed a hat-trick with a quite brilliant finish. The left back Marcel Schmelzer hit a shot that was heading wide, but the Pole up front controlled it expertly, dragged the ball back gaining a yard of space, before lashing the ball into the top corner. The fans went crazy. Lewandowski then completed his haul for the night, converting a penalty with aplomb. The Dortmund faithful were delighted, and it was a fully deserved rout.

The aftermath saw the media take stock and realise just what had been achieved. There was lots of coverage given to the fact that Robert Lewandowski became the first player to score a hat-trick against Real Madrid in Champions League history. He also became the first man to score four in a Champions League semi-final. But what for the Spanish sides? I reckon Barca can invoke more factors for failure- Tito ill, Busquets injured, Xavi and Messi tired, but Mourinho has to look at himself. Real should have won and that can be shown just by simply pointing out that while Dortmund's first XI cost just £29m to assemble, Real's cost £345m to bring together. Gotze, Reus and Lewandowski cost just twenty one and a half million pounds to get.

So what does this mean for Spanish football as a whole? Despite the scorelines, not much. This will signal the end for Mourinho at Real, but both members of the Spanish big two are going to spend big in the summer, whereas Dortmund, already losing Gotze, will have a fight on to keep their star men. Make no mistake though, the Champions League final at Wembley will be populated by the two German teams after two frankly incredible performances.

Thanks for reading, Adam.