FC Bayern had their sights set on reaching the final of the Champions League against Real Madrid, but failed dramatically after conceding two late goals and a 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Alphonso Davies had given Munich the lead (68th). But in the end, after two late goals from former Bundesliga professional Joselu (88th, 90th + 2), Real Madrid celebrated a 2-1 victory, which meant a place in the final after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
Real thus thwarted a possible repeat of the 2013 final – and will now face Borussia Dortmund at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 1st.
Pavlovic for Goretzka from the start
Coach Thomas Tuchel surprisingly gave preference to 20-year-old Aleksandar Pavlovic over Leon Goretzka in central midfield. Matthijs de Ligt moved back into the center of defense after recovering from injury. Serge Gnabry played up front in place of Thomas Müller. Gnabry also had the first good chance for Munich, but put the ball next to the post after a fine assist from Jamal Musiala (8th minute).
The “Royal” response took less than five minutes: Vinicius Junior ran free at the back of the Munich defense and was served perfectly. The post prevented Bayern from going behind early – and Manuel Neuer, who parried Rodrygo’s follow-up shot.
Ticker: Real Madrid – FC Bayern arrow right semi-final Champions League arrow right
Injury shock for Bayern – Gnabry has to go down early
The Munich team were lucky, but there was bad news after just under half an hour: Gnabry, who had only made his comeback after injury in the first leg, apparently had to leave the field again with thigh problems; Alphonso Davies came on to replace him.
Madrid dominated the game, but Munich remained alert and waited for counterattack opportunities. There was no more than one shot from Harry Kane just wide of the post for Bayern. The hosts were far more dangerous in their advances: Five minutes before the break, Neuer had to save again, and the national goalkeeper deflected Vinicius Junior’s free-kick shot with one hand around the post.
Edgar Endres, Sportschau, May 8, 2024 11:46 p.m
Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo with great chances – Neuer saves
The Brazilian remained the focal point of Real’s offense even after the break, “Vini” repeatedly broke through down the left side, unable to be held by Joshua Kimmich. Rodrygo (51′) almost used one of his sharp crosses to take the lead.
The Munich team came under more pressure – and had Manuel Neuer to thank: First Neuer saved from a Rodrygo free kick, then he made a brilliant save against Vinicius Junior, who had broken through again.
Davies scores in Robben style
The Munich team were looking for relief, Musiala’s shot after a counterattack that was thwarted by keeper Lunin seemed like a wake-up call: in the next attack, again from the left side, Davies moved inwards at the corner of the penalty area in Arjen Robben style and sank the ball into the long one Eck gives Munich the lead (68′).
Real countered – and five minutes later the Bernabeu celebrated the supposed equalizer: After a free kick, Nacho’s shot was deflected and landed in the net. But Real’s captain had previously sent Kimmich to the ground with a grab on the neck – referee Szymon Marciniak conceded the goal, according to the video images.
Andre Siems, Sportschau, May 8, 2024 11:19 p.m
Joselu becomes a Munich nightmare
Bayern striker Kane almost made a possible preliminary decision a quarter of an hour before the end, but only hit the side netting from close range. Bayern had the final in sight – but a misfire by Neuer, who had been outstanding up to that point, brought Madrid back: Neuer let a tricky shot from Vinicius Junior ricochet forward – right at the feet of Joselu, who had just been substituted, who shot the ball over from close range the line pressed.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Joselu was once again spot on and actually scored the decisive 2-1 winning goal after Antonio Rüdiger’s cross – a drama that will probably bring back painful memories of the 1999 final against Manchester United for the Munich team. The goal was checked for offside by VAR, but rightly so.
Controversial decision against de Ligt in stoppage time
In stoppage time, the desperately attacking Munich team were unlucky again: De Ligt hit the goal, but the referee had already interrupted the game because the Bayern defender was supposedly offside. Unlike Joselu’s winning goal, referee Marciniak did not have the scene checked on the monitor.
Bayern coach Tuchel then called the decision a “disaster” on DAZN. De Ligt also “couldn’t understand why he didn’t let things play through”. The referee also apologized afterwards, said de Ligt. This didn’t change anything about Munich’s elimination; for the record champions, a season will end without a title for the first time since 2012.
