Saturday Dec 14, 2024
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Thursday, 1 May 2014 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s South American-style forays out of his penalty area had the home fans living on the edge while Bayern’s shocked players reacted petulantly to a number of tackles as they lost their composure.
The third goal summed up Real’s counter-attacking performance as they broke from their own penalty area to score in a matter of seconds.
Gareth Bale played the ball to Angel Di Maria, who released Karim Benzema on the right, with the Frenchman playing the ball inside to Bale and he quickly sent a pass to his left where Ronaldo slipped the ball past Neuer.
Real, who will face Chelsea or Atletico Madrid in the May 24 final, did to Bayern exactly what the Bavarians had done to Barca last year when a 7-0 aggregate semi-final win had pundits predicting an era of dominance for the Munich side in Europe.
“It was a perfect game, especially the first half when we defended very well, using a very efficient counter-attack, with passes on the ground, using the speed of the forwards,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters. “We prepared the set pieces very well, the first two goals, and the game was easier after that.”
The only disappointment for the Italian was a yellow card for midfielder Xabi Alonso who will miss the final as a result.
Bayern, previously unbeaten in nine home meetings against Real, duly wrapped up the Bundesliga title this season with seven games to spare but have suffered a dramatic loss of momentum since then.
Spaniard Guardiola’s tactics have been described as too clever for his own good, with German critics saying Bayern’s possession-based game has become predictable and toothless but he said he would stick by his tried and trusted methods.
“I know it’s a tough night for us for me and for the players,” he told reporters. “The reason we did so badly in the first half is that we did not have possession. We didn’t play with the ball.”
Nine-times champions Real, meanwhile, are back in the final after a 12-year absence which has included four semi-final defeats, including the last three seasons, one quarter-final loss and six round of 16 eliminations.
Bayern, trailing 1-0 from the first leg, laid siege to Real’s goal early on while the crowd attempted to intimidate the Spaniards by whistling incessantly when they had possession.
But, although they huffed and puffed, the hosts rarely threatened and there was always a risk they would concede a killer away goal.
That arrived in the 16th minute when Ramos rose unmarked at the far post to score with a powerful downward header.
Amid general disbelief, Real struck again four minutes later when Angel di Maria’s free kick was flicked on and Ramos headed into the corner.
The setback saw Bayern lose their composure, leaving them wide open to Real’s ruthless counter-attacks, including Ronaldo’s effort just past the half hour.
There was an incredible moment shortly afterwards when Neuer came racing out of his goal and sent his clearance to Ronaldo who tried to score from 40 metres but saw his shot bounce over.
Guardiola tried to limit the damage after halftime by replacing his only striker Mario Mandzukic with defensive midfielder Javi Martinez.
Arjen Robben then produced the home side’s best effort with a shot which curled narrowly wide just before the hour. However, a dazed Bayern side looked almost relieved to be only 3-0 down until Ronaldo sent a free kick under the wall in the last minute to complete an astonishing evening for Madrid.
Shocked Bayern lick their wounds after Real debacleReuters: Bayern Munich’s stunned players and management could scarcely believe they had lost their Champions League crown in such devastating fashion after being destroyed by a rampant Real Madrid side on Tuesday. The 4-0 thrashing in their semi-final, second leg for a 5-0 aggregate defeat was described by the club’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as “a debacle” while captain Philipp Lahm said questions had to be asked after a “bitter” defeat. “We got a slap in the face, it was a debacle what we experienced here tonight,” Rummenigge said. “But we have a coach (Pep Guardiola) with high ability. “Of course we suffered a heavy defeat but it’s not appropriate on evenings like this to talk about fundamental issues.” Lahm and winger Arjen Robben agreed that Real’s two headed goals in the first 20 minutes from Sergio Ramos put the tie beyond Bayern after their 1-0 first-leg loss at the Bernabeu leaving the Madrid side on course for a 10th European Cup trophy. “We conceded two early goals from two set pieces. When you fall behind that quickly it is extremely bitter,” Lahm told ZDF television. “It’s difficult to come back from that. Then they showed their qualities with the quick players. “It is a bitter disappointment. We set out to do a lot. We have to be critical now, ask the questions that need to be asked. If you lose 1-0 and then 4-0 it is very bitter. The team is very disappointed. That is clear.” Bayern’s Netherlands winger Robben was gracious in defeat and praised Real’s qualities on the counter-attack with Cristiano Ronaldo putting the outcome beyond doubt with their third goal of the night on a breakaway after 34 minutes. “Congratulations to Real, after the 2-0 it was finished,” he said. “(At) 4-0 we are not in the final it is clear, we have to accept it and move on,” Robben added after a late Ronaldo freekick wrapped up a perfect night for the visitors. “Everyone knows they’re the best counter-attacking team. It wasn’t our night. We have to accept it. The Champions League is gone.” Rummenigge added: “I want to thank the fans who gave everything they had. We lacked maybe a bit of passion but Real played great football today. After that second goal it was clear it would be difficult to turn this game.” |
