Bayern Munich have eliminated Real Madrid and reached the Champions League semi-finals. After a 2-1 first-leg win, the Bavarians prevailed 4-3 in a thrilling return match. Player ratings for the FCB squad.
What a game! What a tie, in fact! Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid had a bit of everything: great goals, goalkeeping gaffes and incredibly controversial calls. The net result was the kind of engrossing encounter that makes a mockery of Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis' claim that we need to change the game to make it more appealing to young people.
After Bayern Munich’s dramatic Champions League semi-final win over Real Madrid, Manuel Neuer engaged in some self-criticism. Yet the Bayern captain did single out one action of his own for praise.
Bayern Munich ended a run of four consecutive Champions League knockout stage losses to Real Madrid in the most thrilling fashion on Wednesday night, with the Bavarians scoring two stunning goals in the closing stages of an epic quarter-final clash to beat los Blancos 4-3 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate. Unsurprisingly, Vincent Kompany's fantastic forward-line played a starring role in the victory.
Manuel Neuer produced a shocking error just 35 seconds into the Champions League quarter-final second leg, gifting Real Madrid the opening goal. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper misplaced a pass straight to Arda Guler, who immediately scored. However, the goal proved to be just the beginning of a chaotic 45 minutes that saw four more goals scored before the break.
It is not yet clear how much longer Manuel Neuer will continue to play. Should he stay at FC Bayern for another year, he stands to set a historic record.
Manuel Neuer has revealed that a final decision regarding his future at Bayern Munich will be made in the very near future. The legendary goalkeeper is currently weighing up whether to extend his stay at the Allianz Arena or finally hang up his gloves at the age of 40.
Oliver Kahn believes Manuel Neuer should walk away from football on a high if Bayern Munich secure the Champions League trophy this season. The legendary former goalkeeper questioned whether his successor truly needs to endure one last World Cup campaign in his 40s.
Manuel Neuer remains the world's best after a vintage display in Bayern’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid. While experts demand his World Cup return, it has been claimed Julian Nagelsmann is blocking the legend's international comeback. Despite the pressure, the coach's stance prevents Neuer from reversing his retirement for the tournament.
Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has heaped praise on Vincent Kompany following the club's statement victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Belgian coach guided his side to a 2-1 first-leg win at the Santiago Bernabeu, breaking a long-standing hoodoo against the Spanish giants. Dreesen also singled out Manuel Neuer for high praise.
The “Bestia Negra” is back. That ominous nickname, meaning “Black Beast”, has long haunted Bayern Munich’s opponents, and after the first leg of this Champions League quarter-final it feels very much alive. Yet the return of this psychological bogeyman is only part of the problem for the Bavarians’ rivals.
Bayern’s underlying form is equally alarming. Prior to this match, they had won five consecutive league games, outscoring their opponents 17–3 in the process. Their attack, spearheaded by a fit-again Harry Kane and supported by the creative brilliance of Jamal Musiala, is now operating at full throttle. Defenders who once feared only Robert Lewandowski now face a whole team of clinical finishers.
Then there is the tactical flexibility provided by Thomas Tuchel. The coach has rotated his midfield diamond with a 4–3–3, keeping opponents guessing while maintaining intense pressing and ball circulation. This adaptability was on display in the first leg, when Bayern recovered from an earl
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