The first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, leaving everything to play for in the second leg.
Bayern Munich initially dominated proceedings but found themselves trailing when Vinicius Jr opened the scoring for Real Madrid midway through the first half.
However, Bayern turned the tide in the second half, with Leroy Sane equalizing and Harry Kane converting a penalty to put them ahead. Real Madrid fought back, though, with Vinicius Jr scoring another penalty to level the tie.
Let’s delve into how the players performed at the Allianz Arena:
Manuel Neuer had a mixed performance, with questions raised about his role in Real Madrid’s opening goal. However, he made crucial saves to deny Toni Kroos and Vinicius Jr, although he was ultimately beaten by Vinicius Jr’s penalty.
Joshua Kimmich had a solid outing, actively contributing to Bayern’s attacks while maintaining defensive stability. He created several chances and showcased excellent passing accuracy.
Kim Min-Jae endured a difficult night against Vinicius Jr, with his positioning questioned for the opening goal. He struggled to contain the Real Madrid attacker and conceded a late penalty, leading to a forgettable performance.
Eric Dier impressed in defense, displaying composure on the ball and providing stability alongside Kim Min-Jae. He showcased his improved form compared to his time at Tottenham.
Noussair Mazraoui performed admirably defensively, making numerous tackles to thwart Real Madrid’s attacks. Despite receiving a yellow card in the first half, he remained solid defensively.
Jamal Musiala was active in Bayern’s attack, particularly in the first half, but struggled to make a decisive impact. However, he posed a threat after switching flanks in the second half and won a crucial penalty for Bayern.
Harry Kane was influential for Bayern, operating deeper and orchestrating their attacks effectively. He displayed composure to convert a penalty and put Bayern ahead in the match.
Overall, it was a captivating encounter with standout performances and moments of drama. Both teams will now look ahead to the second leg with the tie finely poised.
