Although the score line was close and the second half effort far better than the first, the reality is that Real Madrid were outclassed by a superior Bayern Munich side, even at their own house, in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
With Manuel Neuer's brilliant saves, Michael Olise's relentless skill, and Harry Kane's sheer technical briliance, Bayern proved why they are now the best team in European football while Real Madrid proved why they are now on the verge of going trophyless in back to back seasons - a cardinal sin around those parts.
Very few Real Madrid players can say they are in a better position today than before Tuesday night's battle, but perhaps the real winner of the evening was a man who did not even dirty his boots against Vincent Kompany's much harder working side.
Ferland Mendy is needed vs. Bayern Munich
That man would be left back Ferland Mendy, who was unabel to play due to a recent injury. Mendy is always injured, and while there were doubts about his value when healthy, he reminded the world of his quality for a brief spell against Manchester City in the last Champions League knockout round.
The Frenchman can lock down any attacking player, and after watching Alvaro Carreras get eaten alive by Michael Olise in a defensive disaster class that had Madridistas heads' spinning, Mendy is now back in a position to be almost a lock to start against his compatriot when Real Madrid and Bayern Munich renew their rivalry in the second leg clash at a rocking Allianz Arena next week in Bavaria.
Mendy is the real winner, because already coming into this game, there were doubts about Alvaro's hold on the starting job, which only increased after his poor display against Mallorca in La Liga. There were even rumblings of Fran Garcia coming in to start against Bayern after he showed up well in recent weeks, but Alvaro Arbeloa tried to stick with the big summer signing. It didn't work, with Olise making the former Real Madrid right back live to regret his coaching decision.
Real Madrid are realizing that not only is there still a use for Ferland Mendy, but the oft injured defensive specialist is still needed. The man who once put Mohamed Salah in an asylum is perhaps the only defensive left back capable of quelling an Olise who is so good, he did to Alvaro what not even Lamine Yamal could.