Die Folgen: Bayern’s hard fought 2-1 win over Real Madrid (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich traveled to the Bernabéu for a Champions League date with Real Madrid and the game’s intensity was as expected.
The powerhouse clubs challenged each other, forced the other into mistakes, and made big play after big play — it was just the kind of game to showcase the sport, allowing it to draw in neutrals and new fans.
By the end, Bayern Munich outlasted Real Madrid for a 2-1 win. Let’s get into the details:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- The lineup was pretty much as expected, except for Josip Stanišić (right-back) and Konrad Laimer (left-back) both getting selected over Alphonso Davies (this author predicted Davies to start). Otherwise, this was what most expected.
- The omission of Davies likely tells us that neither he, nor the team, believes he is healthy enough for a full 90 minutes (or even 60 minutes) right now.
- By virtue of some chaos and good bounces, Laimer had a golden opportunity to give the Bavarians a 1-0 lead within the 1st minute, but he airmailed his attempt. It would have been a massive goal to have so early.
- Stanišić (bad touch) and Michael Olise (bad loss of possession in his own end) had early miscues as Real Madrid attempted to assert itself early.
- Real Madrid Álvaro Arbeloa either has fantastic genetics or uses Just for Men to keep his beard that dark. Impressive stuff for a 43-year-old guy.
- In the 9th minute, Upamecano found himself all alone with a sitter after Kane unselfishly played him a pass and the Frenchman missed it badly.
- Bayern Munich had its chances early on, but nothing was going in.
- The intensity of play was though the roof. Both squads went after each other hard. Bayern Munich was the more effective aggressor early on.
- In the 16th minute. Neuer made a fantastic save on Kylian Mbappé from close-range to keep the game scoreless. A minute later, Neuer thwarted a long-range attempt from Vinícius Júnior.
- Upamecano was going to have to earn every euro of his new deal to keep Vinícius Júnior at bay. The defender had his moments early on, but ultimately suffered a few regrettable moments throughout the game.
- After a couple of great plays, an errant throw from Neuer resulted in a terrific chance for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who fired his shot into a defender. That was one of a few very fortunate moments for Bayern Munich in the game.
- Real Madrid’s sloppiness created another great chance for Olise to find Gnabry, but the ball skipped by the Germany international. Less than a minute later, a terrible back pass set Gnabry up perfectly right in front of the net, but he poked his attempt right into Andriy Lunin. Better composure (and definitely better placement) would have given the Bavarians a lead.
- In reality, Bayern Munich should have scored three goals in the first 30 minutes. The wasted opportunities started to feel like a bad omen.
- In the 29th minute, Neuer stopped a difficult attempt from Mbappé again. This game was being played at breakneck speed and was insane.
- Real Madrid’s counterattacks were going to be tough to contain for the entirety of the match. This will be a key factor in leg two. Bayern Munich has to have an answer for Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
- Finally, after a slew of missed chances, Bayern Munich got its goal! Gnabry played in a perfect ball to Luis Díaz, who made a perfectly timed run. What a pass from Gnabry and an excellent finish from the Colombian, who had struggled to get comfortable in the game at that point.
- That is how the first half ended and while there was a sense of satisfaction with the lead, there was also some trepidation because of the point-blank opportunities that were scuffed.
- That worry would get some reprieve as the Bavarians took advantage or even more sloppy play from Real Madrid. Aleksandar Pavlović intercepted a terrible pass attempt from Álvaro Carreras and found Olise, who weaved his way around before setting up Kane, who ripped a perfect lowball from 20 yards away for a 2-0 lead just second into the second half! Olise had several moments in the game where he was at his playmaking best.
- In the 61st minute, Bayern Munich got extremely lucky when Upamecano made a horrible header under pressure from Vinícius Júnior, who sprinted in toward Neuer, only to angle himself so far out of the play that he fired his attempt into the side-netting. Bayern Munich got extremely lucky there.
- Neuer made yet another fantastic stop on Mbappé in the 65th minute. What a game from the veteran!
- Mbappé would fire wide of the net a few minutes later, too.
- In the 74th minute, Mbappé would not miss, as he raced by Upamecano and get on the end of a low-driven cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold to make it a 2-1 game.
- Kane attempted to answer right away, but fired his attempt wide.
- Once Kompany subbed, Bayern Munich lost some steam and the flow of the game completely shifted to Real Madrid. Passing in the final third took a steep downturn.
- Now is not the time to p!ss all over anyone at Bayern Munich, but Musiala’s sub into the game hurt the attack and Upamecano morphed into the “big stage fright” version of himself. Let’s move on, but those things cannot be overlooked.
- Musiala missed a good chance after a nice run of play in the 89th minute. That would have been huge, but the attacking midfielder fired it wide of the mark. In fairness, Alphonso Davies should have shot the ball instead of passing it, though.
- Díaz could have helped make it 3-1, but misfired on a pass to Olise just before the end of regulation time. Oooof…Bayern Munich was exhausted by this point.
- Overall, Bayern Munich got a deserved, hard fought victory over a very good Real Madrid squad. This was a physical, grueling, fast, and intense battle — and the Bavarians were the better team. There is no time to rest on any laurels though and Bayern Munich knows it. Next week will be even more physical, faster, and more intense. For the players, the focus has to move directly toward that match, but the fans…it is more than okay to revel in such a momentous win.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Allegri putting focus on Goretzka for Milan (Calciomercato)
AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri reportedly wants to make sure that his team is in the mix for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka:
And if that’s the case—as everyone at AC Milan hopes — Allegri has already made clear his first target on the market: Leon Goretzka . A versatile, strong, and experienced midfielder who will leave Bayern Munich (as previously announced) at the end of the season and will be free to sign with another club on a free transfer, the German is a specific request from the Livorno-born coach for the AC Milan of the future, regardless of Modric ‘s possible decision to stay in Milan for another year.
Initial exploratory contacts with the agency representing him and handling his interests have already been initiated: competition is fierce (especially from the Premier League and Arsenal), but AC Milan is confident that Champions League qualification and a clear sporting plan will convince the player to embark on his first professional adventure abroad in Italy, in Serie A, with the Rossoneri, also lowering his salary demands, which currently reach up to €6 million and more.
The Milanese are studying a plan to get Goretzka , at the specific request of Allegri.
Bayern, Barca, City eyeing Acheampong (Sports Boom’s Ekrem Konur)
Bayern Munich is joining FC Barcelona and Manchester City in keeping tabs on Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong:
🚨🆕 #Chelsea
Barcelona, Manchester City & Bayern Munich have contacted Josh Acheampong’s entourage.
🔸 Player → frustrated with limited playing time, considering exit.
📅 Contract until 2029 | Value: €25M.
Acheampong can play anywhere across the backline — the exact kind of versatility that Vincent Kompany covets. That said, timing could be an issue for the Bavarians.
Gunners to make move for Kofane? (ESPN)
While Bayern Munich might not be interested in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, Arsenal could be a player for the youngster:
Arsenal are soon expected to make a formal approach to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, according to Christian Falk. The Gunners have been linked with a €65 million move for the 19-year-old, with an offer expected in the coming weeks. The Cameroon international has made 40 appearances across all competitions this season, with seven goals and eight assists to his name, with Bayern Munich also reported be monitoring his progress.
Olmo not thinking about Saudi move, focused on Barca (Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano)
Dani Olmo was reportedly on Bayern Munich’s radar before making the move to FC Barcelona, but recent rumors linking him to Saudi Arabia are wide of the mark per Fabrizio Romano:
🔵🔴 Dani Olmo never considered any move to Saudi Pro League recently as his full focus has always been on Barcelona.
Barça exit, not in Olmo’s plans at this stage even in case of huge salary proposals from Saudi.
Undav looking for modest raise (Sky Germany’s Dennis Bayer)
Honestly, Deniz Undav would be worth every euro of this deal for VfB Stuttgart:
#Sky exkl.: Deniz #Undav demands around 6 million € per year for contract extension with #VfB (currently about 4.5). Would be a club record. VfB willing to stretch, but must watch the salary structure. Negotiations will be thrilling. In principle, both sides want the extension @SkySportDE
It is a sad state of affairs that €6 million/year salary would potentially scare away a top six Bundesliga side.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
