The Real Champs
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UCL Quarter Final: Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich: First Leg Match Review

By Tyler Mascarenhas

MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 12: Head coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid reacts during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Real Madrid CF at Allianz Arena on April 12, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 12: Head coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid reacts during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Real Madrid CF at Allianz Arena on April 12, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

First Half

The match started pretty evenly, as both sides were testing each other out in a pure chess match. All the players on the pitch took their time, eased control on the ball, and did not want to make any mistakes which led to the opposition to take advantage.

Possession was the style both teams used when having the ball, and it was pure beauty to watch. Bayern Munich turned to Robben and Ribery to orchestrate their attack early on, while Zidane implemented his usual aerial style of play by pushing the full-backs up the pitch and circulating cross after cross inside the penalty area.  Off the ball, all the players took their shape to make sure Bayern chances were not limited.

As the first half materialized, Real Madrid looked to be more of the defensive side and wanted to capitalize on the counter. With that said, they took on pressure and as a result, a goal ensued. In the 25th minute, a corner kick from ex-Barcelona man Thiago Alcantara resulted in an Arturo Vidal header which gave Bayern the 1-0 lead.

When looking back on the replay, it was Pepe and Varane’s replacement, Nacho, who could not stay on his man and slipped away from Vidal as the ball was played into the air. The Chilean sent a bullet header past Navas, who in my opinion, was pretty poor on the play; and just like that, it was 1-0 for the home side.

After the goal, Real Madrid continued to let Bayern press and it almost shot them right in the foot. Vidal had another chance not too much later, as Robben cut from his right flank and sent in a wicked cross to the Chilean.

Vidal made contact but it was sent wide. Just before the halftime whistle, a Bayern Munich shot hit defender Carvajal in the shoulder, though the linesman believed it was his arm.

Since it was within the 18-yard box, Bayern were gifted a wrongful penalty. Vidal stepped up to take it but hit the ball with way to much power, and the ball sailed into the above netting. At the break, it was Bayern Munich 1-0 Real Madrid.

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