Bayern Munich 2-2 Real Madrid: Player ratings as Champions League semi-final evenly-poised after first leg
There was no separating Bayern Munich and Real Madrid as they drew 2-2 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Bayern Munich started better but it was Real Madrid who took the lead, with Vinicius Jr opening the scoring midway through the first half.
However, inside 15 minutes of the second half, Bayern Munich were ahead. Leroy Sane equalised and Harry Kane put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot, turning the game on its head. But the game wasn’t done there, with another penalty — this time for Real Madrid and scored by Vinicius Jr — sending this tie into the second leg level.
Here’s how the players rated at the Allianz Arena:
Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer – 6 – Questions will be asked on whether he could have done better to pressure Vinicius for the opening goal. Produced a good save to deny Kroos early on in the second half and another to stop Vinicius late on. Well beaten by Vinicius’ penalty.
Joshua Kimmich – 7 – Was getting involved a lot in the attack and didn’t have to do too much defensive work in either half. He created three chances, the joint-most for Bayern and had 82 touches with a pass accuracy of 92.3%.
Kim Min-Jae – 3 – In a tough battle against Vinicius, he was caught a bit too central for the opening goal, trying to come short before being done with a through ball. Vinicius had another chance late in the second half after Kim went too close, trying to read a short pass before being beaten with a ball over the top. He then brought down Rodrygo for the late penalty, in what was a real night to forget.
Eric Dier – 7 – Looked the more comfortable of the two centre-backs, and that’s not just because of Kim’s poor performance. He was particularly calm with the ball at his feet, with only Laimer having more touches than his 89. This is a completely different player to the one riding the bench at Tottenham.
Noussair Mazraoui – 7 – Although his average position was high up the pitch, Mazraoui wasn’t involved too much in the attack. But he was involved defensively, with more tackles than any other Bayern player. Did well despite playing the second half on a yellow after a foul on Bellingham.
Konrad Laimer – 8 – Bayern’s best player on the night, everything they did started with the Austrian. Not only did he help keep the back line secure, but his passing was calm, dictating the ball. Got an assist for Sane’s goal too, though that was definitely more about the finish than the pass. Ended with more touches than any other Bayern player and misplaceed just two of his 78 passes.
Leon Goretzka – 5 – Made himself known to the Real Madrid team very early on with a couple of strong tackles, both of which were given as fouls. He did an okay job in the midfield but was taken off at half time.
Leroy Sane – 7 – He was the man getting forward most into the gaps left by Kane and he had the first opportunity inside the opening minute but his effort was saved. Sane had another shot that sailed over soon after in what was a poor first half. But he stepped up in the second half, equalising with a powerful low shot at the near post. It was Sane’s first goal for Bayern across all competitions since October, ending a run of 25 games without scoring. He thrived up against Mendy.
Thomas Muller – 7 – Making his 150th appearance in the Champions League, Muller wasn’t seen too much in the attack, as Bayern Munich looked to utilise the flanks. But he put a shift in for the team, popping up where they needed him, and helping to keep Bayern on the front foot in the second half.
Jamal Musiala – 7 – The most involved of the Bayern attackers in the first half, Musiala tried to work his magic but just couldn’t get it done. But when he switched flanks at the break, Musiala gave Vazquez a tough evening. His neat footwork won a penalty for Bayern to take the lead.
Harry Kane – 7 – Dropping slightly deeper, Kane was pulling the strings for the Bayern attack even with limited time on the ball. Showed a cool head to put Bayern ahead from the penalty spot.
Harry Kane has now been directly involved in more goals in a single Champions League campaign than any other Englishman in the competition’s history:
◎ 11 games
◉ 8 goals
◉ 3 assistsHe only had to leave England to break it. 😅#UCL pic.twitter.com/1lbYjAZ8aa
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 30, 2024
Substitutes:
Raphael Guerreiro (for Goretzka 45) – 7 – Brought on to partner Laimer in midfield, Guerreiro brought added security in front of the Bayern back line.
Serge Gnabry (for Muller 80) – N/A – A late sub.
Alphonso Davies (for Sane 87) – N/A – A late sub.
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Real Madrid
Andriy Lunin – 6 – Made a good save to deny Sane inside the opening minute but was beaten by the German in the second half at his near post. Although the shot had power, he should have done better. Couldn’t do anything to stop Kane’s smart penalty.
Lucas Vazquez – 4 – Looked like he’d have a quiet evening, doing well up against Sane in the first half. But then the switch came at half time, with Musiala moving over and Vazquez generally struggled up against the German. Brought Musiala down for Bayern’s penalty, summing up how poor that matchup was.
Antonio Rudiger – 7 – Strong in the air and a solid defender, although Real Madrid conceded two goals it wasn’t down to the German.
Nacho – 6 – Led well at the back in the first half. A surprise to come off in the second half when Carlo Ancelotti wanted to shake things up.
Ferland Mendy – 5 – Did his job up against Musiala in the first half, but struggled when Sane attacked with his more direct running, as shown in the equaliser.
Federico Valverde – 7 – Helped sit in front of the Real Madrid defence as they were happy to soak up the pressure and counter. Only Kroos made more passes in the final third than his 14, with one tackle and one clearance.
Aurelien Tchouameni – 7 – A calm and composed presence at the base of Real Madrid’s midfield, allowing the other two to do their jobs. Dropped to centre-back in the second half and helped keep the defence solid.
Toni Kroos – 8 – He was key to Real Madrid’s game plan. Their sitting back to counter would work if Kroos had his passing range in, and boy did he. He set up Vinicius’ opener with a wonderful defence-splitting pass that not many would have seen. Taken off with 15 minutes to go as the energy started to drop.
Jude Bellingham – 5 – He wasn’t as involved in the danger areas as some would like to see, as Real Madrid focused on their defending. Still had the second-most touches of the ball for Real Madrid at the time of his substitution.
Rodrygo – 6 – Like Bellingham, he didn’t have too much by way of attacking threat, but tracked back well. Rodrygo did, however, show neat footwork at times and won the penalty that brought Real Madrid level.
Vinicius Jr – 7 – Had barely been in the game but opened the scoring, coolly beating Neuer with his side’s first shot. Was a constant threat to Kim, who will be seeing Vinicius in his nightmares until next week. But he won the battle of minds with Neuer to make it 2-2 from the spot. When the moments mattered, he did what was needed.
Vinícius Júnior has now scored as many goals in the knockout rounds of the Champions League as he has in the group stages:
◎ Group stage: 27 games, 10 goals
◉ Knockout rounds: 27 games, 10 goalsIdentical records. 🪞#UCL pic.twitter.com/0tIdmL2xlD
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 30, 2024
Substitutes:
Eduardo Camavinga (for Nacho 65) – 6 – Moved into the base of the midfield and did a decent job.
Luka Modric (for Bellingham 75) – 6 – His first action was a foul, less than a minute after coming on, but it was a standard performance with what time Modric had on the pitch.
Brahim Diaz (for Kroos 76) – 6 – Had a shot blocked with Real Madrid trying to get an equaliser and then won a foul with a good run.
Joselu (for Rodrygo 87) – N/A – A late sub.