Unlucky Reds fall to Madrid

FC Bayern suffered a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final first leg. Joshua Kimmich handed the hosts the lead in a hotly-contested match that lived up to its big-game billing, but Madrid's Marcelo levelled the scores shortly before the interval. Bayern went looking for a reply, but Marco Asensio sealed Real's victory before the hour mark.

The German record champions started with Sven Ulreich in goal and Kimmich, Jérôme Boateng, Mats Hummels and Rafinha in a back four. Javi Martínez filled the holding role behind Arjen Robben, Thomas Müller, James and Franck Ribéry, with Robert Lewandowski as an orthodox centre-forward.

Jupp Heynckes made six changes to the XI that saw off Hannover on Saturday, fielding the same team that took on Sevilla in the quarter-final return leg. Kimmich, Hummels, Martínez, Müller, Ribéry and Lewandowski took over from Lukas Mai, Niklas Süle, Juan Bernat, Thiago, Sebastian Rudy and Sandro Wagner.

Joshua opens

The 70,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw the hosts in the driving seat at first. Barely 30 seconds had been played when Lewandowski got hold of the ball in the box, squaring to Müller, who was unable to turn it towards goal. Bayern dominated proceedings thanks to their early pressing, but the first shock came when Arjen Robben took a knock after only five minutes, Thiago replacing the Dutchman.

A fascinating battle of wits developed as Real slowly but surely got a grip on the contest. Real enjoyed a spell in command after 20 minutes, Dani Carvajal warming Ulreich's gloves. But Bayern took the lead on the break before the half-hour, James' pass slicing through Real's lines, Kimmich charging down the right and slotting past visiting netminder Keylor Navas.

Bayern were buoyed by the opener, but Navas proved equal to a Ribéry effort before the next setback came, Boateng limping off the pitch with a knock and Süle taking over. Bayern were unimpressed, with Hummels miscuing a volley and Müller seeing an effort blocked, but Madrid levelled the scores out of nothing when a stray cross evaded friend and foe alike before Marcelo rifled past Ulreich from 20 yards, Müller and Lewandowski missing chances to restore the lead before half-time.

Reds dominant, Real clinical

Bayern dominated proceedings after the interval, three Madrid defenders blocking Lewandowski in the six-yard box. The day turned sour when the visitors picked up a loose ball in midfield, Lucas Vazquez inviting Marco Asensio to slot past Ulreich.

Navas denied the particularly industrious Ribéry twice before Müller and Lewandowski missed chances, Ribéry miscuing another finish. Real relieved the pressure by going on the attack, Ulreich saving from Benzema. Heynckes played his final card, Tolisso coming on for Martínez, but Lewandowski fired wide in the closing stages before match official Björn Kuipers blew for full-time.

The Reds are back in action in just three days, when they entertain Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Bayern and Real will meet again next Tuesday, and Herculean as the task of overturning their deficit may seem, the Bavarians will be buoyed by their dominance and their wealth of chances on Wednesday night.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen