“We’re all dead on our feet but over the moon,” said Bastian Schweinsteiger. Jupp Heynckes spoke of a “magical night”, while Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called it “the most emotional game I’ve ever experienced in my career”. Bayern’s 2012 Champions league semi-final second leg away at Real Madrid was not for the fainthearted.
After winning the first leg in Munich 2-1, FCB lost the return fixture by the same scoreline in the Spanish capital. With 120 minutes played, the tie would be settled in a penalty shootout, with a happy ending for Bayern as they followed the classes of 1999, 2001 and 2010 by reaching the final of the Champions League. “Today was the game to end all games,” said UIi Hoeneß after FCB had booked their place in the Finale dahoam.
Ronaldo’s brace stuns visitors
In front of 80,354 spectators at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu, the game got off to the worst possible start for Bayern. After David Alaba was penalised for handball in the box, Cristiano Ronaldo put Los Blancos ahead with just six minutes played. He would double the lead eight minutes later from an offside position missed by the officials. “We had real trouble in the first 15 minutes,” coach Heynckes said afterwards. He awarded the first quarter of an hour “clearly to Madrid”.
Robben holds his nerve
Yet Bayern didn’t lose their cool and played what Heynckes stressed was “outstanding football for long periods”. His team applied pressure and got a goal back with 27 minutes on the clock. Real defender Pepe had fouled Mario Gomez inside the box to allow Arjen Robben to coolly slot home the penalty for 2-1. “It’s brave to take the ball at such a time. Kudos to him,” said president Hoeneß.
Casillas prevents equaliser
In a game of real quality and chances from both sides, Karim Benzema and Gomez both passed up good opportunities. Shortly before half-time, Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved a dangerous free-kick from Robben to deny a deserved equaliser.
Gomez misses chance to settle it
Bayern continued to dominate after the break but couldn’t find a way through. The best chance to secure their place in the Munich final fell to Gomez four minutes from time. However, two Madrid defenders were able to put him off at the crucial moment as he was taking aim. The game would go to extra-time, but the additional 30 minutes saw no further goals. The place in the final would be decided in a penalty shootout.
Neuer saves, Schweinsteiger converts
Here, too, Bayern held their nerves better than the hosts. And they had Manuel Neuer in goal. The keeper saved the first two penalties from Ronaldo and Kaka while Alaba and Gomez both slotted away their spot-kicks. Toni Kroos and captain Philipp Lahm then both missed for FCB. Xabi Alonso converted for Real before Sergio Ramos blasted his effort high into the Madrid night sky. The decisive kick fell to Schweinsteiger and he kept his cool, duping Casillas and sending Bayern through to the final. “I was just thinking about putting the ball in the net,” the Fußballgott later commented.
Red celebrations after the whistle
Red shirts streamed forward in jubilation and Bayern celebrated in front of their travelling fans. In return, they lauded their matchwinner, goalkeeper and the entire team. “I can’t say anything, I’m overwhelmed. To progress on penalties, in this atmosphere, there’s nothing better,” Gomez enthused. “As we know, everyone plays football and in the end the Germans win” was the headline in Spanish paper El Mundo Deportivo the following day. Marca went for: “La bestia negra yet again”.
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