Dominant and ahead of time, Bayern Munich must concede a draw on their lawn at the Allianz Arena against Real Madrid (2-2) in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League.
TOPS
Vinicius’ clinical realism
It is true that the meeting was above all marked by several phases of domination by Bayern Munich, who may also harbor regrets. However, opposite, Real Madrid achieved the perfect move by showing lethal realism and clinical efficiency. Behind this collective analysis hides an individuality which illustrates all of Madrid’s success this Tuesday evening in Munich. The Brazilian, Vinicius, finished the match with a total of four shots including three on target, the majority of his team’s decisive shots since the Merengues only scored four of their ten attempts in the evening. On several occasions, Vinicius was one of the few regular and fit elements, making breakthroughs on the flanks, looking to combine quickly. Author of his team’s two goals, he was also involved in the penalty caused by Rodrygo with this last pass.
The Sané/Kane duo at the meeting
If Bayern had the weapons to win the match, it is largely thanks to their Leroy Sané/Harry Kane duo. Between them, the offensive pair combined 8 shots, half of which were on target. The first major phase of domination came from the offensive assaults launched by the two men, together or individually. After 49 seconds, Bayern Munich were already showing their fangs. On a nice combination on the left side, Harry Kane was used as a fixation to play the one-two with Leroy Sané. The latter broke through the Madrid defense but saw his shot pushed back by Andriy Lunin with his foot. Thomas Tuchel’s players wanted to continue like the attempts of Harry Kane (6th, 9th, 42nd) but also of Sané in a closed angle (7th). And in just four minutes, the two players overthrew Real Madrid. Served by Konrad Laimer on the right side, Leroy Sané tried to break through into the Madrid area before landing a powerful strike which deceived Lunin (53rd, 1-1). Then Harry Kane transformed the penalty caused (57th, 2-1).
Read alsoChampions League: in Germany, Real Madrid holds on to a draw against Bayern Munich
FLOPS
The disaster of Kim min-jae
Recruited at a gold price last summer from Napoli, South Korean defender Kim min-Jae had a very complicated evening in front of his home crowd. While Matthijs de Ligt was absent and Dayot Upamecano on the bench in poor form, the native of Tongyeong had his work cut out for him this Tuesday evening against the many offensive elements of Real Madrid (Vinicius, Bellingham, Rodrygo). On the two goals scored by the Merengues, the former Fenerbahçe player is directly at fault. Indeed, on the opening score against the run of play, Toni Kroos, then positioned in the central circle, launched Vinicius in depth, left all alone in the axis of the defense. Late after attempting a high intervention, Kim was unable to come back, allowing the Brazilian to take all his time to adjust his shot in front of Manuel Neuer. And on the late equalizer in the second half, Kim Min-jae attempted a too dangerous tackle in the area, mowing down Rodrygo (yellow card in addition) and offering a penalty to Real Madrid which Vinicius transformed. Two big errors on the two goals.
Jude Bellingham unrecognizable
However, the spotlight was on him. For this face to face with his compatriot Harry Kane, all the cameras in Europe wanted to see the two Three Lions at work in this golden poster between two behemoths of world football. On one side, Real Madrid and its 14 Champions League trophies, carried by Bellingham (21 goals, 10 assists). On the other, Bayern Munich and its 6 big-eared cups, guided by Kane (43 goals, 11 assists). If the former Tottenham player shone as previously explained, the ex-Dortmund darling was simply ghostly. He finished the match with 11 turnovers, one offside and no shots attempted until his (rare) exit, replaced by Luka Modric. Despite a few well-felt balls slipped to his teammates, the native of Stourbridge did not have the impact expected for a player of his talent and especially of his caliber.
