Real Madrid may have lacked possession against Bayern Munich but it made little difference as Karim Benzema gave his side a 1-0 lead in their Champions League semi-final.
A flu-ridden Gareth Bale could only make the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu with fellow superstar Cristiano Ronaldo replacing him in the starting 11.
However, neither Madrid darling could, nor would, have made a difference against the already crowned Bundesliga champions early on, as Bayern totally dominated the ball.
But for all their 'tika-taka' style under Pep Guardiola it brought no reward as instead Los Blancos produced a counter-attacking masterclass.
The first real chance came for Bayern when former Real winger, Arjen Robbenfizzed an effort just past the post via a Pepe deflection.
But with the Santiago Bernabeu nervily expecting a goal for the visitors, suddenly they erupted in joy as Ronaldo led a rapid counter-attack, fed compatriot Fabio Coentrao, who then easily picked out Benzema for the easiest of finishes on 19 minutes.
The goal galvanised the hosts and both Ronaldo and Di Maria could have immediately doubled their tally only to waste breakaways.
However, neither was as surprising a miss as what came next from Ronaldo when the Portuguese star somehow blazed over from 12 yards out with no defender in sight.
Bayern finally mustered a worthwhile attempt on goal when Philipp Lahm was picked out by Rafinha, only to find the angle too tight and fire into the side netting.
Immediately Ancelotti’s side hit back with another surge forward, but this time another glaring miss followed, as Di Maria in acres of space chested the ball down but then viciously volleyed high over the bar.
Bayern seemed dazed by their lack of cutting edge and almost gifted Real a second when bumbling defending from Neuer and Dante required the goalkeeper to tip Ronaldo’s effort round the post.
Robben did finally get a glint of the goalkeeper’s eyes when he burst through the middle but the Dutchman snatched at his effort, firing into Casillas’ arms.
At the other end Ronaldo’s frustrations in front of goal continued when quick thinking got the superstar in on goal, however, Jerome Boateng made the angle too tight as Neuer beated away the forward’s strike.
The former Manchester United man's involvement soon ended when he substiuted for Bale, as the Bernabeu roared its latest star on to the field, but the Welshman's invovlement was meagre.
Guardiola's side continued to look toothless in attack, though Mario Gotze almost found a crucial away goal late on, when the German slammed an effort towards goal that Casillas just managed to repel.
At the death Bayern and Thomas Muller screamed for a penalty when Xabi Alonsoappeared to take the German down but it was a 50/50 challenge and would have been harsh on Madrid.
Read more at http://talksport.com/football/real-madrid-1-0-bayern-munich-benzema-puts-los-blancos-semi-final-driving-seat-14042388504#2yOoFlmG48Fvgl27.99
A flu-ridden Gareth Bale could only make the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu with fellow superstar Cristiano Ronaldo replacing him in the starting 11.
However, neither Madrid darling could, nor would, have made a difference against the already crowned Bundesliga champions early on, as Bayern totally dominated the ball.
But for all their 'tika-taka' style under Pep Guardiola it brought no reward as instead Los Blancos produced a counter-attacking masterclass.
The first real chance came for Bayern when former Real winger, Arjen Robbenfizzed an effort just past the post via a Pepe deflection.
But with the Santiago Bernabeu nervily expecting a goal for the visitors, suddenly they erupted in joy as Ronaldo led a rapid counter-attack, fed compatriot Fabio Coentrao, who then easily picked out Benzema for the easiest of finishes on 19 minutes.
The goal galvanised the hosts and both Ronaldo and Di Maria could have immediately doubled their tally only to waste breakaways.
However, neither was as surprising a miss as what came next from Ronaldo when the Portuguese star somehow blazed over from 12 yards out with no defender in sight.
Bayern finally mustered a worthwhile attempt on goal when Philipp Lahm was picked out by Rafinha, only to find the angle too tight and fire into the side netting.
Immediately Ancelotti’s side hit back with another surge forward, but this time another glaring miss followed, as Di Maria in acres of space chested the ball down but then viciously volleyed high over the bar.
Bayern seemed dazed by their lack of cutting edge and almost gifted Real a second when bumbling defending from Neuer and Dante required the goalkeeper to tip Ronaldo’s effort round the post.
Robben did finally get a glint of the goalkeeper’s eyes when he burst through the middle but the Dutchman snatched at his effort, firing into Casillas’ arms.
At the other end Ronaldo’s frustrations in front of goal continued when quick thinking got the superstar in on goal, however, Jerome Boateng made the angle too tight as Neuer beated away the forward’s strike.
The former Manchester United man's involvement soon ended when he substiuted for Bale, as the Bernabeu roared its latest star on to the field, but the Welshman's invovlement was meagre.
Guardiola's side continued to look toothless in attack, though Mario Gotze almost found a crucial away goal late on, when the German slammed an effort towards goal that Casillas just managed to repel.
At the death Bayern and Thomas Muller screamed for a penalty when Xabi Alonsoappeared to take the German down but it was a 50/50 challenge and would have been harsh on Madrid.
Read more at http://talksport.com/football/real-madrid-1-0-bayern-munich-benzema-puts-los-blancos-semi-final-driving-seat-14042388504#2yOoFlmG48Fvgl27.99
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