The Real Champs
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Real Madrid 4 – 2 Bayern Munich: Three Takeaways From The Champions League Battle in Madrid

By Alex McVey

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 18: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring his side's third goal with team-mate Marcelo during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Muenchen at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 18, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 18: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring his side's third goal with team-mate Marcelo during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Muenchen at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 18, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by fotopress/Getty Images)
(Photo by fotopress/Getty Images) /

Real Madrid Had a Little Help from the Refs

The reason why I am usually hesitant to complain about refereeing decisions is that as often as bad decisions go against you, they also can go for you. That’s what happened against Bayern, as some questionable refereeing gave Madrid a few huge advantages in this game.

I don’t think there was anything untoward going on, but the referee happened to see things in Real Madrid’s favor in a few crucial instants, and against Bayern in a few others.

The standout example is Casemiro. While the Brazilian had a stand-out performance, bossing Bayern’s attackers throughout the match, there is absolutely no reason he should have played a full 120 minutes.

While his penalty on Robben was perhaps a bit unlucky, he had a number of hard fouls go un-noticed or un-punished. Immediately after Casemiro escaped a second yellow for a sloppy challenge, Arturo Vidal earned his second for an innocuous challenge that was probably ultimately a clean tackle.

Having an extra man allowed Madrid to boss Bayern Munich more than they would have otherwise in this match (much like the first leg), leading to the flattering scoreline we see at the end of 120 minutes.

Real Madrid were also lucky that the flag stayed down for Cristiano’s equalizer and go-ahead goals, which were both certainly offside.

People might point to Lewandowski’s offside positioning before the Ramos own goal, or a hard foul or two from Vidal earlier that went unpunished as evidence that the refereeing was perhaps less skewed than it seems, but I think on balance, Bayern have to feel hard done by the referee.

Fortunately for Los Blancos, that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Madrid have, and will continue, to be on the wrong side of plenty of bad refereeing decisions. Madrid nevertheless put in an excellent performance, and have nothing to be ashamed of.

Luck went Zidane’s way tonight, but any good coach will tell you that winning championships involves a fair bit of luck.

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