Wish I watched

 Unfortunately been having some health problems lately, so given this and time difference I was unable to watch the clash between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the Champions league. I suspected it would be a memorable encounter, and indeed it was, as I was only able to watch detailed replays later on.

I missed a great match with amazing goals. As always and annoyingly, Real Madrid are never really beaten, and the fought hard to get back from the 1-2 defeat in Madrid. Arda Guler scored twice within the first half hour: punishing a serious mistake by Manuel Neuer, and a wonderful free kick, with Mbappe scoring a third just before halftime. But Bayern Munich had also struck: Aleksander Pavlovic had scored on a header where the Real Madrid goalkeeper Lunin also looked out of place, and Harry Kane had scored on a splendid pass by Upamecano.

Just first half had already been epic as I just lay crying.

Second half continued with attacks from both sides, in particular Real Madrid trying to take a definitive lead, and Manuel Neuer saving the day more than once. But it took a splendid strike by the Colombian Lucho Diaz to equalize and effectively eliminate Real Madrid, who in the last minutes nevertheless attacked, leaving space in the back for the best player of the match: in the 94th minute the splendid Michael Olise could have taken time, but instead went towards scored on a marvelous strike that gave Bayern Munich the 4-3 victory.

Epic.

Bayern Munich sign in as favourites, but also in footballing terms; they are a true joy to watch, but also make many mistakes, thus making them enjoyably vulnerable... 

The semifinals are as follows:

• Paris Saint Germain-Bayern Munich
• Atletico Madrid-Arsenal

 

Bayern strikes first

Real Madrid versus Bayern Munich are always intense matches, and tonight's CL first-leg quarterfinal in Madrid did not disappoint. 

Bayern dominated the match from the start; at the same time there were many individual mistakes that could have cost goals. In particular Luis Diaz seemed absent from the match, but it was him who scored first for the Bavarians when they counterattacked quickly following a lost ball by Real Madrid. Soon into the second half Harry Kane scored a second for Bayern Munich, and at this point it almost appeared that they could humiliate Real Madrid. But one has to respect Real Madrid, who facing adversity nevertheless pushed forward, and good old Manuel Neuer (who nevertheless did also look shaky at the start of the match) had to pull some spectacular saves. In the end Kylian Mbappe managed to score one for Madrid, but pushing forward they also opened for chances in the back, where Bayern could or should have sealed the match. Young Jamal Musiala returned to the Bayern team as a substitute, but after a long injury pause looked a bit afraid, while Michael Olise was the best player of the match (Real Madrid is apparently very interested in signing him, and today's match must only have reinforced their interest).

A 1-2 lead for Bayern Munich should put them with one foot in the semifinals before next week's match at Allianz Arena, but in the end Real Madrid showed that they can still rise from adversity, even when Bayern has all the aces.