Real Madrid has experienced many magical nights in the UEFA Champions League at the Bernabeu, where they have defeated stronger opponents many times in difficult-to-explain circumstances. But in the 1-2 defeat to Bayern Munich, reality caught up with them and a comeback could not happen.
Against a quality, confident and well-organized Bayern, Real Madrid experienced about an hour of lackluster play. The away team clearly overwhelmed, even superior to what the score reflected. However, as the second half drifted towards the end, the game gradually changed when the home team began to create pressure, with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe constantly threatening the opponent's goal.
In the 74th minute, Mbappe narrowed the score, rekindling hope in the Bernabeu stands. The crowd began to believe in a familiar comeback, but the equalizer did not come, largely due to Manuel Neuer's excellent performance with 9 saves.
When the match ended, the two teams had the same 20 shots, the number of chances created was almost equivalent (15-14 in favor of Real Madrid). However, the xG index showed a clear difference when Bayern reached 2.99 compared to 1.97 of Real - proving the superior efficiency of the away team.
The one-goal gap still leaves the match uncertain before the second leg in Munich. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa affirmed: "We still have a chance".
Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin expressed regret that the team could have scored more goals, but also admitted Neuer was the best player of the match. Center-back Antonio Rudiger also agreed with this opinion.
However, most of the match time showed that Real Madrid was not in the best condition. Their weaknesses were exposed against a classy opponent.
Vincent Kompany's team entered the game overwhelmingly and soon created opportunities. Dayot Upamecano missed a close-range situation, and Serge Gnabry also did not take advantage of the opportunity to face the goalkeeper. However, Bayern still had the opening goal in the 41st minute when Luis Diaz finished a combination with Harry Kane and Gnabry.
Right at the beginning of the second half, Kane increased the score to 2-0 after only a few tens of seconds, making Real's hopes even slimmer. Mistakes in the ball deployment made the home team pay the price, as Arbeloa himself admitted.
Only in the last 30 minutes did Real Madrid really create pressure. When Bayern reduced the intensity of pressing, space appeared and the home team began to take advantage.
Vinicius had a chance to face Neuer but could not beat Neuer. Mbappe continuously tried his luck but was either blocked or shot inaccurately. However, overall Arbeloa still assesses that this is the image of Mbappe that the team needs.
The danger of Los Blancos increased when Trent Alexander-Arnold participated in the attack, with crosses from the right wing opening up many opportunities. It was from such a situation that Mbappe scored to narrow the score.
However, when Real pushed up to find an equalizer, they also faced the risk of counter-attack. Bayern almost finished the match in the final minutes if it weren't for the timely intervention of Eder Militao and the inaccuracy of the away team's strikers.
In the second leg, Real Madrid will face more difficulties when Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended. This forces them to play more risky, different from their familiar control and defense style.
Arbeloa is still optimistic when saying that if any team can win at Munich, it is Real Madrid. With individuals like Mbappe, Vinicius, Jude Bellingham or Federico Valverde, they are still capable of creating something special.
But the reality from the first leg shows that just 30 minutes of improvement is not enough. If they want to reverse the situation, Real Madrid will have to play much better and accept greater risks at Munich.
