%202.png)
.png)
| 4/25/12 | 8:55 AM EDT | ROMA VS. FIORENTINA |
In Progress — 120′
April 25, 2012 2:45 PM EDT
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu — Madrid
Referee: V. Kassai
Attendance: 70000
April 25, 2012 2:45 PM EDT
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu — Madrid
Referee: V. Kassai
Attendance: 70000
120′
The referee blows the final whistle. Fasten your seatbelts everyone, we've got penalties on the way!
119′
Just seconds left on the clock here...
117′
Marcelo nicks the ball from Robben inside his own area before marauding up the pitch. The left-back dances past a couple of challenges before finally playing the ball through to Higuain. The Argentine is carelessly offside though and play is brought back. Really sloppy from the attacker to be caught offside there!
115′
Yellow Card Esteban Granero Molina
115′
FREE-KICK TO BAYERN!! Granero is booked for a dive inside the Bayern penalty area as he looks for a penalty under pressure from Manuel Neuer. There was a slight push on the Madrid player from the Bayern keeper there, that could have gone either way!
113′
A brilliant tackle from Lahm on Kaka stops a Madrid counter-attack on the halfway line. That was a vital challenge from the captain as the home side looked set to break.
112′
MASSIVE CHANCE FOR MADRID!!! Kaka freezes inside the penalty area after controlling a high pass from Granero well. Ronaldo and Khedira both try and offer runs for the Brazilian but he cannot dig out a cross and is tackled by Badstuber.
111′
Substitution 
Mesut Özil 
Esteban Granero Molina
Mesut Özil Esteban Granero Molina
110′
Madrid's final roll of the dice is to bring on a product of their academy Esteban Granero to replace Mesut Ozil. Seconds after his introduction Madrid appear to have won a corner through Kaka, but for some reason the referee gives a goal-kick to Bayern Munich.
108′
Even Ronaldo, probably the fittest player on the planet, is starting to feel the strain of 108 minutes of football. He has a chance to shoot 25 yards from goal but slices an effort miles wide of Neuer's goal.
107′
The two sides have failed to create much in extra-time and its clear that there are some incredibly tired legs out there.
106′
Substitution Karim Benzema 
Gonzalo Higuaín
Karim Benzema Gonzalo Higuaín
106′
Mourinho makes his second change of the game, taking off Benzema and bringing on Gonzalo Higuain. Could he prove the difference?
105′
The referee blows the whistle to end the first half of extra-time. Nothing separates the two sides here!
104′
Yellow Card Holger Badstuber
103′
The second corner is cleared by the Madrid backline and Ronaldo looks to break, passing the ball towards his team-mate Benzema. The Frenchman is chopped to the Bernabeu turf by an aggressive challenge from Badstuber that results in a free-kick and yellow card for the Bayern player. Should Bayern reach the final; Alaba, Badstuber and Gustavo will all miss out through suspension after picking up bookings tonight.
103′
Kroos knocks it towards the penalty spot but Sergio Ramos is there to head it behind for another corner kick.
102′
Yellow Card Luiz Gustavo Dias
102′
Corner to Bayern...
100′
Gustavo receives what has been an inevitable yellow card after cynically blocking off Pepe as the centre-back looked to surge forward. That's another player ruled out of the final for Bayern should they get there!
98′
Ronaldo has a chance to shoot with his left-foot 20 yards from goal after being set up by Pepe, but he hesitates for too long and the ball runs away from him before being cleared by Lahm.
97′
Madrid look to break through Ronaldo who plays a pass into the area to Kaka but his first-time pass to Marcelo is intercepted well by Boateng.
96′
Muller's first involvement in the game is to run the ball out of play for a goal-kick on the right. Not the brightest of starts for the substitute!
95′
Substitution 
Franck Ribéry Thomas Müller
Franck Ribéry Thomas Müller
95′
Ribery charges through the back of Ronaldo and concedes a free-kick inside his own half. It is the Frenchman's last contribution of the game as he is replaced by the 2010 World Cup Golden Boot winner Thomas Muller.
93′
Kaka retains possession wonderfully after the referee played an advantage following a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo. The Brazilian was surrounded by a group of four Bayern players there but still managed to keep hold of the ball!
92′
Madrid win a corner straight from kick-off, but after the ball ricochets off a couple of players inside the Bayern area it is finally hacked away by Badstuber.
91′
This is where managers earn their, in Mourinho's case, considerable wages. What a half an hour of football we have in store! Madrid get us underway once more...
90′ +3
Right guys, predictions for extra-time, will one side emerge victorious in the next 30 minutes? Or will this match be decided by the cruellest of lotteries, the penalty shoot-out? Let me know your thoughts on Twitter @charliefscott.
90′ +3
The referee blows the whistle to mark the end of 90 minutes. The score is 3-3 on aggregate, meaning this enthralling match is heading into extra-time!
90′ +2
Bayern scored a late goal in the first leg last week but I can't see them repeating the trick this time.
90′ +1
Bayern have a chance to break through Kroos after some dogged play from Gomez. His pass out wide to Robben is heavy though, and Madrid soon win the ball back as the away side's attack loses its urgency.
90′
Yellow Card Arjen Robben
89′
Robben is shown a yellow card for dissent after the referee fails to award him a free-kick following a robust challenge from Marcelo.
88′
Ribery leaves his foot in on Pepe after he had barged the Madrid centre-back to the floor. The Frenchman then charges into Arbeloa just seconds later! He's beginning to lose his cool out there.
86′
GOMEZ FLUFFS HIS LINES (PART 2)!!! This is an even easier chance! Robben slips the ball across the area to him and he should shoot first time, but instead cuts back on to his left, as he has tried to do far too many times this evening. Ramos is there to block his delayed shot and Casillas then catches the ball easily. MASSIVE chance there for Bayern to take the lead on aggregate.
85′
Gomez fluffs his lines after being played in by Kroos. With his back to the goal the striker tries to shoot on the turn but is crowded out by Ramos and Pepe.
83′
BRILLIANT DEFENDING FROM PEPE!!! Ribery exchanges passes with Robben before racing into the area but Madrid's imposing centre-back is across quickly to snuff out the danger. Ribery fouls Pepe after losing the ball meaning instead of Bayern winning a corner, Madrid have a free-kick.
82′
With just under ten minutes remaining in normal time, one of the sides needs a spark from somewhere otherwise this match is going to extra-time!
80′
The crowd are furious with the referee after Bayern are awarded a goal-kick following a Badstuber tackle on Kaka. Despite their protests it is the correct decision from the man in purple.
79′
Mourinho is offering a helping hand to the officials down on the touchline, acting as a third linesman as the ball appears to run out of play in front of him. I am not sure they will be paying any attention to be honest!
78′
Up the other end Jerome Boateng puts in an equally decisive tackle, his is on Ronaldo after Benzema had got in on the right and fired a cross towards his team-mate.
76′
Robben plays a nice ball to Gomez who looks to shift from his right foot to his left but Sergio Ramos is there to put in a colossal tackle to steal possession and clear the ball from danger.
75′
Substitution Ángel Fabián Di María Kaká
Ángel Fabián Di María Kaká
75′
Here comes Kaka... Remember that stat from earlier, the Brazilian has five assists in the Champions League this season, will he get another tonight I wonder. Di Maria is the man replaced.
73′
Don't forget guys, should this leg finish 2-1, we will be going to extra-time. Personally, I am surprised we haven't seen a fourth goal in this match after such an open first half!
71′
For the first time tonight Gustavo is actually unfortunate to give away a free-kick. That was a brilliant tackle, despite what the referee says. Alas, the free-kick is awarded in Madrid's favour, but again it is wasted by Ronaldo, with this attempt going miles over the bar.
70′
Ronaldo races down the left before pulling the ball back to Benzema on the edge of the area. He opens up his body and attempts to sidefoot an effort past Neuer but gets too much power and not enough finesse on his shot as it flies over the crossbar.
68′
That man Gustavo commits another foul in a dangerous area, with Marcelo the victim this time. Ronaldo strikes the ball goalwards but again it is too close to Neuer, as the Germany international catches the ball easily.
66′
CHANCE FOR ROBBEN!!! The spritely winger goes racing through on goal and looks to dribble round Iker Casillas but the Spain international does brilliantly to win the ball after racing off his line. Fine goalkeeping.
65′
Toni Kroos curls a free-kick into the Madrid area from wide on the left, and it is straight onto the head of Mario Gomez. He cannot get quite enough on it though, as the ball drifts harmlessly wide of Casillas' post.
64′
CRAZY OFFSIDE DECISION THERE!! Marcelo is pulled back for offside by the linesman after latching on to Alonso's pass, despite being a good couple of yards onside...
62′
Our man at the Bernabeu, Alberto Pinero, has been in touch. "In general, Bayern fans have been quiet since the second goal of Ronaldo. Meanwhile down on the touchline Mourinho appears to be considering making a change as Fabio Coentrao and Gonzalo Higuain begin to warm up."
60′
XABI ALONSO HAS GOT TO BE CAREFUL!!! The Madrid midfielder is just one booking away from a suspension and he is fortunate not to be shown a yellow card after going through the back of Ribery on the halfway line. Lucky boy!
59′
Yellow Card Arbeloa
59′
Some fantastic footwork from Ronaldo down the left wins a corner kick being for Madrid. They fail to make anything of it though, and Bayern look to break through Ribery. That is soon brought to an abrupt end by Arbeloa though, as the Spanish full-back chops the Bayern winger down as he looks to sprint into the Madrid half.
57′
MORE WASTEFUL FINISHING FROM GOMEZ!! The German shoots straight into the arms of Casillas after some measured build-up play from the away side.
56′
Madrid win a free-kick that is taken quickly by Alonso. He passes the ball to Benzema who fires a low shot across goal from the right-hand side of the area that Neuer gets down well to push away to safety.
54′
Kroos has asked an awful lot of Franck Ribery there! Bayern have a chance to break down the left but the young German overhits his pass to Ribery, and the Madrid defence easily steal possession back once more.
53′
And one of their subs this evening is Kaka, who has delivered five assists in 396 minutes of play in the Champions League, one every 79 minutes - the best ratio in this season's competition!
51′
Mourinho will have confidence in the players he has on the bench this evening. Real Madrid have the most productive subs in the Champions League this season with four goals and five assists coming from players who have come on as substitutes.
50′
Gustavo must be on the brink of a booking, he's been guilty of about 100 fouls in this game already, the latest being a wild trampling over Ozil as he looks to keep possession after slipping to the ground.
48′
GOMEZ HEADS JUST WIDE!!! Some fine patient interplay between Lahm and Robben results in a chance for their big striker. Lahm curls a fine ball onto Gomez's head from the right but his team-mates can only look on in agony as his effort lands the wrong side of the post.
46′
LOVELY MOVE FROM MADRID!! They've started this half in a similar vein to how they played the first! A delightful back-heel from Di Maria finds Alonso who slips a ball behind the Bayern defence to Benzema, he then flashes a great pass across the six yard box but there is no-one there to profit from it!
46′
And we are back under way here at the Bernabeu...
THIS, I love. Not that I'm encouraging anyone not to try their best in their exams... "@tousifazamsk: I have my semester exam tomorrow and here i am watchin an excitin contest between Madrid and Munich. All support to Bayern." That's a real fan!
I would love to hear from you all on Twitter, you can reach me @charliefscott. Send me your predictions for the final score!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich. (3-3 on aggregate) Both sides have come flying out of the blocks at the Bernabeu, as we have seen an open and entertaining game. Ronaldo has bagged both of Madrid's goals, the first a penalty after Alaba had handballed inside the area, the second a calm finish past Neuer from inside the area. The former Madrid winger Arjen Robben reduced the deficit to 2-1 with a penalty of Bayern's own after Pepe had bundled over Mario Gomez inside the Madrid box. With the score in this match at 2-1, the tie is well and truly all square at 3-3 on aggregate, with both sides having scored one away goal. I would be very surprised if there weren't any more goals in this one!
45′ +1
The referee blows the whistle for the end of the half!
45′ +1
REALLY GOOD SAVE FROM CASILLAS!! Robben curls a venomous effort round the wall towards the bottom left-hand corner but Casillas is there to parry the ball away from goal.
45′
FREE-KICK TO BAYERN A YARD OUTSIDE THE MADRID PENALTY AREA! Arjen Robben wins it after nicking the ball off Mario Gomez, and being nudged to the ground by Pepe. Great chance for Bayern.
44′
Alonso curls a good ball into the area from the set piece, but Sergio Ramos cannot get on the end of it, and it eventually runs out for a goal-kick to the away side.
43′
Gustavo concedes another free-kick, this time for a foul on Mesut Ozil on the left-hand side.
42′
Some quick-thinking from Robben at a throw-in nearly gives Gomez a shooting opportunity, but Pepe is across brilliantly to tackle the German striker as he looks to cut onto his left foot and shoot inside the area.
41′
Over on Twitter @Saraa75 has been in touch to say: "NEVER BEEN THIS HAPPY BEFORE. RONALDO IS ON FIRE. GO REAL MADRID!!!!!" I'm glad to hear it! I'm sure both sets of fans are enjoying this one!
39′
You've got to hand it to both sets of players tonight, they are really going for it. Neither side appears set on playing defensive football and both teams have had chances to score a handful of goals in this first half.
37′
Ronaldo hits it over the wall, but it is lacking in power and precision as Neuer sidesteps before gathering the ball into his arms.
36′
Gustavo goes through the back of Ozil 30 yards from goal, and Madrid have a free-kick that Cristiano Ronaldo is lining up...
35′
Pepe switches the play brilliant from right to left to Ozil, the German then slips the ball to Ronaldo, who does well to win a corner off Jerome Boateng.
33′
GOMEZ FIRES STRAIGHT AT CASILLAS!!! The Bayern striker wastes another opportunity to get his name on the scoresheet, slamming a low effort straight into the midriff of Iker Casillas.
32′
The pace of the game has slowed down slightly after a manic opening half an hour of play. That's one of the most enjoyable starts to a game I've seen all season!
31′
GREAT EFFORT FROM BENZEMA!! The Frenchman toys with Lahm on the left-hand side of the penalty area before curling a sumptuous effort towards the far corner of Neuer's goal. The Bayern keeper is relieved to see the ball fly the wrong side of the post, and the score remain at 2-1 for the time being!
29′
Some quick-thinking from Ronaldo nearly creates another goal for Madrid. After taking a free-kick quickly he fires an effort towards goal that Karim Benzema is a whisker away from diverting past Neuer.
27′
Assist Mario Gomez
27′
Penalty Goal Arjen Robben
ROBBEN SCORES!!!!! BAYERN ARE RIGHT BACK IN THIS ONE! The former Madrid player steps up and sidefoots his effort past Iker Casillas, despite the keeper getting a hand to the spot-kick. We are all square now in this semi-final. 3-3 the aggregate score!
ROBBEN SCORES!!!!! BAYERN ARE RIGHT BACK IN THIS ONE! The former Madrid player steps up and sidefoots his effort past Iker Casillas, despite the keeper getting a hand to the spot-kick. We are all square now in this semi-final. 3-3 the aggregate score!
27′
Yellow Card Pepe
26′
PENALTY TO BAYERN!!!!! Gomez goes down under the challenge of Pepe as he looked to get on the end of Kroos' inswinging cross from the right. The Madrid defender is perhaps fortunate to only receive a yellow card for the challenge!
24′
Bayern are settling into the game and have had a fair share of the ball in the last five minutes or so, in fact the possession statistics have just popped up to show they have had 61% during the match so far!
22′
ANOTHER LONG-RANGE EFFORT FROM BAYERN! This time it's Gustavo who has a pop at goal, but again the shot goes wide. Casillas is beginning to lose his patience with this defenders though, as they continue to afford Bayern's players enough space to get shots away.
21′
AMBITIOUS SHOT FROM GOMEZ!!!! The Bayern striker is allowed to carry the ball a long way inside the Madrid half before releasing an effort at goal, Iker Casillas has it covered though, allowing the ball to fly behind for a goal-kick.
20′
After the ball pinballs around inside the Madrid area, the corner is evetually smashed away by Madrid. They've looked slightly suspect at set pieces so far in this match, that could be how Bayern get back into this one.
19′
Pepe is alert to the danger of Ribery cutting in from the left, striding across the penalty area to intercept the ball and put it out for a corner.
18′
Don't forget guys, you can tweet me your views and predictions on the remainder of this game by sending your messages to @charliefscott. I'll get the best tweets I receive copied into this commentary!
17′
Alonso and Khedira are doing really well at the moment to shield their defence and put in some vital challenges as Bayern look to probe the Madrid backline.
16′
What a start Real Madrid have made to this game! They are absolutely flying.
14′
Assist Mesut Özil
14′
Goal Cristiano Ronaldo
2-0 MADRID!!! RONALDO WITH ANOTHER!!! The home side have breathing space now, with the aggregate score at 3-2 to Madrid. Mesut Ozil caps a well-worked move with a fine ball to Ronaldo, and the attacker makes no mistake from 12 yards, slotting the ball well past Neuer.
2-0 MADRID!!! RONALDO WITH ANOTHER!!! The home side have breathing space now, with the aggregate score at 3-2 to Madrid. Mesut Ozil caps a well-worked move with a fine ball to Ronaldo, and the attacker makes no mistake from 12 yards, slotting the ball well past Neuer.
12′
SUPERB CHALLENGE BY KHEDIRA!!!! The German puts in a fantastic last-ditch challenge on Ribery as the winger looks to pounce on a rebound following Mario Gomez's long-range stop. That was a crucial intervention from the Madrid player, as the scores could easily have been level if Ribery had been allowed to get his shot away.
10′
The atmosphere is absolutely electric here at the Bernabeu, with the home fans in full voice in support of their team. You can tell they want this as much as the players!
9′
Going back to that penalty, the young full-back Alaba received a yellow card for the handball, meaning he misses Bayern Munich's next game in this competition. So if the Bavarian side do reach the final, he will not play a part.
8′
WHAT A RUN AND PASS FROM ALABA!!!! The fill-back wastes no time in attempting to make amends for giving away that penalty by racing straight up the other end and delivering a delicious ball across the face of goal to Arjen Robben. The Dutchman cannot adjust his body correctly to convert the cross though, as his effort flies high over Casillas' crossbar.
6′
Penalty Goal Cristiano Ronaldo
GOOALLLL!!!! RONALDO COOLLY CONVERTS THE PENALTY!!! The Portuguese attacker shows his calmness from the spot by stroking the ball low to the left of Manuel Neuer.
GOOALLLL!!!! RONALDO COOLLY CONVERTS THE PENALTY!!! The Portuguese attacker shows his calmness from the spot by stroking the ball low to the left of Manuel Neuer.
5′
Yellow Card David Alaba
5′
David Alaba gives the spot-kick away, in fairly unfortunate circumstances. Di Maria hammers a shot towards goal that strikes the arm of the falling defender. The referee has a quick think about it before pointing to the spot.
5′
PENALTY TO MADRID!!!
4′
Alvaro Arbeloa goes flying through the back of Franck Ribery in Bayern's half, and the referee is unhappy with the challenge, deciding to award a free-kick against the right-back.
3′
EARLY CHANCE FOR MADRID!!! Sami Khedira pokes the ball straight at Manuel Neuer after DI Maria had ghosted past Alaba and into the area before serving the ball on a plate for the German midfielder. He should really do better with that finish!
2′
Alonso sprays the ball out wide to Di Maria but his touch is surprisingly poor, and gifts possession to Bayern Munich.
2′
Mourinho's side quickly steal the ball from Bayern and win a free-kick on the half-way line for a foul on Xabi Alonso by Mario Gomez.
1′
WE ARE OFF!!
We are seconds away from getting under way here!
For those of you that want a bit of background info on the referee ahead of kick-off, the Hungarian Viktor Kassai is a travel agent when he's not refereeing some of the biggest games in world football and his principle interests are sports (unsurprisingly) and film.
MATCH FACT #3 Bayern's Mario Gomez has proved the most efficient goalscorer in Champions League history having scored a goal every 92 minutes, which is the fastest goal to minute ratio of any player with over 15 goals in the competition. The Bayern striker has found the back of the net 12 times already in this campaign, but only one of those goals has come away from the Allianz Arena. Will he add to that tally tonight?
MATCH FACT #2 This will be the 14th meeting between Real and Bayern in the Champions League which makes this fixture the most frequent in the history of the competition. Bayern have the bragging rights as far as history between the two is concerned though, having won eight of the previous 13 Champions League games against Madrid.
MATCH FACT #1 Mesut Ozil, Madrid's goalscorer last week, has provided 17 assists for Cristiano Ronaldo, more than any other player has during Ronaldo's career.
Give me some match facts I hear you all ask... Okay then!
BAYERN MUNICH TEAM NEWS Jupp Heynckes names a strong side boasting the attacking talents of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, despite the two being involved in a high-profile spat during the first leg last week.
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria keep their spots following Madrid's superb win in El Clasico at the weekend, while Marcelo replaces Fabio Coentrao at left-back.
Subs: Butt, Rafinha, Contento, Pranjic, Tymoshchuk, Olic, Muller
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber, Alaba; Luiz Gustavo, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Kroos, Ribery; Gomez
Subs: Adan, Kaka, Granero, Coentrao, Albiol, Higuain, Callejon
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema
The starting XIs are out, so without further do, here they are:
Whatever the outcome, this match looks set to be a cracker!
Bayern take a slender 2-1 lead to the Bernabeu for this second leg, after Mario Gomez exorcised some demons he had accumulated in the previous 89 minutes of last week's first leg by slotting home past Iker Casillas late on at the Allianz Arena. Despite tasting defeat for the first time in the competition in the first leg Madrid will approach this tie full of confidence after notching an away goal through Mesut Ozil, and having looked in supreme form at home for most of the season.
Good evening and welcome to Goal.com's LIVE coverage of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich's Champions League semi-final second leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. My name is Charlie Scott and I will be bringing you detailed minute-by-minute commentary of this exciting match as it unfolds. Feel free to tweet me any questions or views you may have on the game, by sending your messages to @charliefscott. I will try and get the best tweets copied into this commentary
.jpg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment