Real Madrid defeated Champions League holders Bayern Munich last night 1-0 to take a slender lead to Germany next week as they look to qualify for the final for the first time in 12 years and win the club’s decima European Cup.
Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game – which Marca describes as a golden goal. There is also much praise for the Frenchman who has come under fire at times this season from some sections of the media and fans.
The 18th minute goal was Benzema’s 24th of the season – his most prolific campaign to date in a Madrid shirt. It was his fifth in the Champions League this campaign, having scored doubles in the games against Galatasaray and Schalke away from home.
There is some debate in the press too about the importance of possession. The visitors enjoyed 64% of the ball during the game, but until the last five minutes, never really tested Iker Casillas. Pep Guardiola spoke afterwards about how proud he was of dominating the game, while many Munich players spoke of their surprise at how Madrid set up to counter and didn’t look to control the match through possession.
Elsewhere Ronaldo came through the game unscathed, and while there was an injury scare for Pepe, the Portugal defender came off with just a knock and should be fit for the weekend match against Osasuna.
