Death, taxes and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final.
It’s becoming one of life’s certainties. Real Madrid just managed to hold onto a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semifinal on Tuesday to advance 4-3 on aggregate.
As uninspiring as Madrid was over these two legs, Los Blancos are 90 minutes away from claiming a third straight European Cup. No club since Bayern, ironically, from 1974 to 1976 has accomplished the feat.
Here are three thoughts from a thrilling match.
Real Madrid should be thankful for Navas
He took the brunt of the abuse during the first half last Wednesday in Munich. But without Keylor Navas’s heroic saves in the second leg, Bayern Munich would have likely advanced to the final over Real Madrid.
Navas recorded eight saves to preserve Madrid’s advantage. The Costa Rican had to rely on his quick reflexes and agility to make a few crucial stops through a number of bodies in the box. However, the shot-stopper stayed calm and commanded his area very nicely.
There will always be persistent rumours linking Madrid to the likes of David de Gea. Navas may not be universally loved in the Spanish capital, yet he’s been vital to the club’s magnificent run in the Champions League since 2016. He will surely play a key role again in the final on May 26.
Zidane’s gambles nearly cost Madrid
Plagued by a couple of injuries and Casemiro on a yellow card warning, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane made three notable personnel changes from the first leg. Isco and Dani Carvajal – both injured – made way for Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio. Mateo Kovacic started over Casemiro with Lucas Vazquez deployed at right-back.
It was the latter two decisions that raised eyebrows. Zidane clearly didn’t want Casemiro to pick up a booking and miss a potential final, plus he’s always trusted Vazquez in any role.
Nacho, who has played right-back on a handful of occasions, might’ve been a better option than Vazquez given what transpired in the game. Because Madrid played with a high line in the first half, Bayern opted to exploit Madrid’s right flank. Franck Ribery and David Alaba were constantly finding open space, so Luka Modric provided cover.
As for Kovacic, he was instrumental on the first goal as he quickly switched play to the left for Marcelo, who pinged in a cross to Benzema at the back post. The Croatian midfielder was very composed on the ball in the first half, but was usually caught up high and it led to some dangerous counters from Bayern.
Zidane eventually opted to sit back, crowd the central channels and line up eight players in Madrid’s box. It worked out in the end thanks to Navas, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.
Casemiro will surely return for the final and Carvajal is expected to be fit in time as well, but Zidane has to be more careful with his selection in these situations.
Bayern Munich fails to capitalize again
The first leg was Bayern Munich’s to lose based on the quality chances they failed to convert. The same could be said for Tuesday’s match as well.
Once again, expected goals – an advanced metric that assesses the chance of a shot becoming a goal – showed that Bayern created plenty of quality opportunities. Madrid did as well, but the team was more selective with its attempts.
The two-legged expected goals map shows an even larger discrepancy.
Even with injuries to Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Arturo Vidal and Arjen Robben, Bayern was technically the better side. Like Madrid, the Bavarians profited from the flanks. Ribery and Alaba thrived on the left, yet both goals originated from the right side. Joshua Kimmich and Niklas Sule both had time to pick out crosses, mainly because of Marcelo’s defensive ineptitude.
It’s easy to harp on James Rodriguez’s miss from point-blank range, the potential handball in the box from Marcelo or Sven Ulreich’s howler right after halftime. There were loads of unfinished chances and that is why Bayern is exiting at the semifinal stage.
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