UEFA Champions League 2016/17: Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid, Player ratings
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid played out a true footballing spectacle at the Allianz Arena last night as the away side ran out winners. Midfield maestro, Arturo Vidal gave Bayern the lead just before the half-hour mark with a bullet header.
Despite Real Madrid starting the game relatively well, Munich undid the current holders from a set-piece with ease. Just five minutes before Vidal's clinical header, Manuel Neuer pulled off a world-class save to deny Karim Benzema from a header.
Munich went for the juggler at the end of the first half, and after winning a penalty, Vidal skied the shot over the bar from 12-yards out. Madrid punished Carlo Ancelotti’s side of their lack of ‘clinical-ness’ just after half-time when Cristiano Ronaldo expertly volleyed Los Blancos back into the contest. The challenge of overcoming the holders became even more difficult when Javi Martinez was shown a second yellow card for hacking down Ronaldo.
A game of two halves then saw Madrid equalise in the opening minutes of the second half and bury home their advantage in the 76th minute when Ronaldo poked Madrid into a surprising, but deserving lead. The game ended 1-2 to Zinedine Zidane’s side, and the Madristas have a crucial goal lead to take home along with two important away goals.
Can Bayern come back?
Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer – 9/10
A solid performance once again from the German goalkeeper who returned to the starting line-up after his injury. Neuer remains the king of the goalkeeping position and looked as good as ever tonight without being tested too frequently. However, his 18th minute save to deny Benzema was truly world-class. Add that to his stunning reflex save from Gareth Bale’s header in the 55th minute and we have our Man of the match.
Phillip Lahm – 6/10
Great first-half, but Lahm was isolated and weak at times in the second. The lack of cover from Robben after Martinez’ dismissal was evident and somewhat costly.
Javi Martinez – 4/10
Martinez has divided opinion among supporters in Germany following his injury battles, but the former Bilbao player was excellent at times against Madrid. His form has peaked once again, with him keeping Benzema relatively quite for the entire contest – until his dismissal on the hour mark. He ultimately cost his side the tie.
Jerome Boateng – 7/10
Boateng was a cool customer once more and evidently learnt from his mistakes against Madrid in 2014. Regardless the German was calm, collective and a leader for the Bavarian giants when under pressure from Madrid’s fruitful attack.
David Alaba – 7/10
The battle of the two of the world's best left-backs was won by Alaba on this occasion. The Austrian was bombing forward causing problems for Madrid's right side of the defence. As ever, Alaba was his reliable self in defence when called upon.
Xavi Alonso – 7/10
Alonso controlled the tempo of the game against his former side. At 35-years-old, he still continued to show his ability despite retiring at the end of the season. Faultless in possession, Alonso didn't struggle with the speed of the game either.
Thiago – 7/10
Not his best game for the Bavarians this season, but that shouldn’t be held against the player who is performing better than any other midfielder in European football currently. Unfortunately for him, the loss of Lewandowski proved difficult for him to create guilt edge chances. However, he still managed to control the game in front of the Madrid penalty area in the first half.
Arturo Vidal – 8/10
The midfield battle-axe for Bayern last night. Vidal never allowed the pass masters of Modric or Kroos a moment on the ball. His crunching tackles were expertly timed on a regular basis. He gave Bayern the lead with a monstrous header and was sensational throughout the contest – forgetting that penalty miss though.
Arjen Robben – 6/10
A lot has been made of Robben’s performance against Dortmund last weekend, but the Dutchman struggled to create much due to Marcelo’s excellent man-marking. His usual left foot, cut inside, shoot, was relatively limited.
Franck Ribery – 5/10
The France native certainly lacked that fearsome stride going forward, but barely put a foot wrong as Bayern went in search of that much-needed home advantage. Dani Carvajal kept Ribery relatively isolated on the left-side of Bayern’s midfield.
Thomas Muller – 3/10
26 goal Bundesliga striker, Robert Lewandowski proved an enormous loss for Bayern, and Muller didn't prove to be capable of filling the Polish international’s boots last night – that’s not denying his quality either.
Substitutes
Juan Bernat – 5/10
Good performance from Bernat under difficult situations, but Madrid failed to test the Spaniard's defensive vulnerability.
Douglas Costa – 6/10
Performed better than Ribery despite playing less than a third of the contest. Looked far more dangerous out wide when in possession (which wasn’t often).
Kingsley Coman – N/A