Real Madrid clip Bayern in Munich
REAL MADRID substitute Marco Asensio scored a second-half winner yesterday to end Bayern Munich’s unbeaten record at home this season and give his side a 2-1 win in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Joshua Kimmich had put the home side in front, but Marcelo equalised before the interval against the run of play. Asensio then came on after the break and Lukas Vazquez set up the 22-year-old to claim a second away goal for Madrid 12 minutes into the second half.
The result puts the two-time defending champions in a favourable position before the second leg in Madrid next Tuesday, though Zinedine Zidane’s side will be wary after conceding three goals at home to Juventus in the previous round.
“We’ve taken the first step,” said Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, back to marshal his side’s defence after serving a suspension against Juventus.
Bayern had to substitute the injured Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng in the first half, but the side had plenty of chances to score more goals with Franck Ribery, Robert Lewandowski and Mueller all missing good opportunities.
“We didn’t have as many big chances against Hannover last week. Real won 2-1 away, so they have the edge, but we’ll throw everything into it,” Kimmich said of the second leg.
Cristiano Ronaldo was held scoreless for the first time in the competition this season. The Portuguese star had an effort ruled out in the second half for using his arm to control the ball.
Bayern, which are chasing a treble in Jupp Heynckes’ last season in charge, was hoping to make up for last year’s quarter-final exit to Madrid, and for the Spanish side’s 5-0 aggregate win at the same stage in 2014.
“The tie is far from over,” Zidane said. “It’s more than possible that Bayern could win in the Bernabeu.”