Actual Madrid surprises Bayern Munich in Champions League

In today's Champions League 2014 first leg semifinals, Spanish Football's La Liga hosts Real Madrid defeated German Football's Bundesliga visitors Bayern Munich 1-0, in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Madrid, playing a 4-4-2, using a clearly not-match-ready Cristiano Ronaldo, and benching the still-recovering-from-the-flu Gareth Bale, were outplayed from the visitors the whole first half. Bayern maintained 72% of possession, beating Real to divided balls and pressing them on their half of the pitch.
But Madrid seemed approximately the task of stopping Bayern and the middle was well defended by Isco, Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric, Angel di Maria, and also the Real defense, that this wings seemed the only option for that Munich team. Ironically, Arjen Robben, perhaps their very best offensive weapon, found himself double-teamed every time he became Bayern's wide offensive outlet. Time after time the Madrid defense stopped Bayern--sometimes cold, other tines with last gasp lunges or blocks, but never requiring a true save from goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Thus went the initial 18 minutes.
Then came part two of Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti's strategy. The counter, a Madrid specialty since Jose Mourinho's days, is at full gear and in the 19th minute Fabio Coentrao found Ronaldo at regarding the midfield line. The striker, unable to do his usual sprints received, held then delivered a perfect lead pass to his Portuguese teammate about the left wing. Coentrao's cross found Karim Benzema open with the far post for your easy put away. The resulting score line, Real 1, Bayern 0, was truly from the run of play.
But then this goal inspired Real and at the 25:46 mark another counter saw Ronaldo the person receiving a bouncing cross from Benzema, just in regards to the penalty spot, along with the Portuguese star miss-hit it over the crossbar each time a simple downward touch would've ensured the second score.
At the 40:29 minute mark di Maria was the person receiving the final give another nice counter but he sent the ball skyward from very close range and with only Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer to overpower.
It was clear by half-time that Ancelotti had played all his pieces well while Bayern coach, Pep Guardiola, had assumed his superior forces would simply appear and carry the day. Real's formation must have been a surprise as was Ronaldo's walk out onto the pitch.
As the next half began what each coach could do today to out-fox the other seemed the question to answer, the gamers had already shown they are able to follow each leader's directions to some tee.
The first chess move was Ancelotti's as they substituted Gareth Bale for Ronaldo to wide applause. Then Guardiola countered bringing in offensive players for midfielders and taking Frank Ribbery out. The gamble, adding a lot of attacking players rescued Bayern from an impending Real possession get back. And it also provide Bayern with a lot of more scoring opportunities.
At the 83rd minute Bayern's golden chance came. Mario Goetze was open inside box, just to the right of goal and about two yards outside the goalie's box, and took a spot blank shot at goal going to left. But the best keeper inside the world, the individual that always reacts so quickly even when not asked all game long, made the save and kept the score line intact for the Real Madrid win.
It might have been too little for Madrid. Bayern is unquestionably worth two check here goals in your own home. But Ancelotti is relying on both of his stars being healthy and ready for long play in the next leg in Munich. It should be a sport worthy of a championship final instead of a semifinal.

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