Real Madrid stunned holders Bayern Munich at the Allianz
Arena, powering to an emphatic 4-0 win and booking their place in next month’s
Champions League final.
One dream is over, but another is now a tantalising step away from finally
being realised.
Bayern’s ambition of becoming the first club to successfully retain Europe’s
most prestigious prize (at least in its current form) effectively ended when
Sergio Ramos scored the second of his two goals after 20 minutes. Cristiano
Ronaldo’s sweeping finish 15 minutes later ensured Real will be in Lisbon on
May 24 with the chance to win "La Decima"—the 10th European crown
that everyone associated with the club craves.
The reigning Ballon d’Or winner then scored from a free-kick in the final
minutes to complete the rout.
It’s 12 years since the notion of that landmark Decima was formed, after
Real won their ninth title in 2002 thanks to Zinedine Zidane’s remarkable
volley, but many will now expect the dream to become reality this year.
Real will almost certainly be favourites to win in the final, regardless of
whether Chelsea or Atletico Madrid come through Wednesday’s second final.
Whoever they face Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be full of confidence, having
won both legs of their semi-final (winning 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu) and
completing a convincing 5-0 aggregate triumph thanks to some clinical
counter-attacking. The one sad note for the side will be the absence of Xabi
Alonso, who cut a disconsolate figure as he picked up a booking and a
suspension for a clumsy first-half foul after his side were already three goals
to the good.
The hero of the hour, Ramos, was also just one yellow card away from missing
the showpiece. Despite riding his luck at times, he was withdrawn with over 15
minutes remaining to ensure he did not have to experience Alonso’s feelings.
It was the defender who decided the game inside the first 20 minutes. With
the visitors a goal ahead thanks to Karim Benzema’s clinical finish in the
first leg, Ancelotti’s side had little incentive to come forward against
Bayern, instead opting to play almost a conventional 4-4-2 with Gareth Bale and
Angel di Maria sitting deep and wide and Ronaldo operating almost alongside
Benzema.
Pep Guardiola, perhaps anticipating this approach, made one change from the
side that lost in Madrid—bringing the slippery Thomas Mueller in for full-back
Rafinha, with Philipp Lahm dropping back into the defence.
The game therefore started in predictable fashion, with Bayern passing the
ball around at will and Real looking to counter-attack at lightning speed
whenever the opportunity presented. That was how they created the first
chance—Bale spooning over from 35 yards after Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer
had been forced into a hurried clearance by the pressing Benzema.
Five minutes later, Real had their lead. They forced a corner, and Luka
Modric, impressive in both legs, swung it in, with Ramos rising highest to
power the header beyond the rooted Neuer.
Suddenly Bayern needed three goals if there were to reach the final—although
it was soon to get so much worse.
This time it was a free-kick, not a corner, but the result was essentially
the same. Di Maria curled in a beautiful delivery, and Pepe nodded it perfectly
into the path of Ramos, who found the same corner by the same method to
effectively seal his side’s passage.
Bayern continued to try to create openings through weight of possession and
patience of passing, but Real looked focused and enervated by their start and
soon enough put the tie to bed.
It was a goal of brilliant athleticism, the away side bringing the ball
forward brilliantly before Bale slipped Ronaldo clean through on goal, the
Portuguese just slipping his side-footed shot under Neuer’s outstretched hand.
It was Ronaldo’s 15th goal of this season’s competition, a new record.
When the two teams returned for the second half, Guardiola made one change,
withdrawing the ineffective Mario Mandzukic for Javi Martinez, a move perhaps
intended to push Mueller further forward and ensure his side better retained
the ball as they now tried to break down a side destined to park the bus.
Bayern created their chances—Franck Ribery forcing a good save from Iker
Casillas, and Arjen Robben and another substitute, Mario Gotze, both going
agonisingly close with ambitious efforts—but could never find the one goal that
might, optimistically, have given a glimmer hope of a historic comeback.
Yet as the clock ticked on, their commitment waned, and Real began planning
for the final. Ramos was withdrawn, with Benzema and Di Maria (for defensive-minded
replacements) soon following.
In the closing stages, with the fans pouring away from the stadium, Real
could even go forward without fear of reprisals.
In a moment that summed up both side’s evenings, one of those attacks
granted a final goal. Modric won the free-kick, and Ronaldo—who else?—took it,
firing his shot under the jumping wall to complete a memorable beating.
"They always leave space on the counter-attack, which we like because
we have quick players and were able to exploit that," Bale concluded.
"Everybody put in 100%—no matter who it was they put in a
performance."
Bayern, who embarrassed Barcelona in similar circumstances last season,
could have some qualms about the final scoreline, but not the ultimate result.
Real Madrid are in the Champions League final, in fully deserved fashion.
What's Next?
Real Madrid's attention now returns to La Liga, where they will hope to keep
their title ambitions alive with a home victory over Valencia on Sunday.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, travel to Hamburg in the Bundesliga on
Saturday—although they have already sewn up the title.
The final of the Champions League will take place on Saturday, May 24, at
Lisbon's Estadio da Luz
