International reaction to Madrid victory: 'Bayern storm the Bernabéu'

Following the impressive 2-1 first-leg victory in the Champions League quarter-final at Real Madrid, there was lots of praise for FC Bayern in the media. fcbayern.com rounds up the press reaction from Germany and across the world.

Reaction from German media

Süddeutsche Zeitung: “Bayern conquer the Bernabéu. The Munich men win at Real Madrid for the first time in a quarter of a century, and even squandered some gilt-edged chances in the 2-1 win in the quarter-final first leg. FC Bayern missed the opportunity to push Real Madrid to the brink of an existential crisis at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night.”

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: “Manuel Neuer and the Hannibal moment of Madrid. Only the best strikers beat the best goalkeeper: in Bayern’s 2-1 win in Madrid, the 40-year-old Neuer demonstrated why he’s such a great winner.”

Der Spiegel: “Bayern needed 20 seconds to make Real Madrid look normal. A special strike after the break handed the Bavarians a first win at Real Madrid in 25 years. Manuel Neuer rolled back the years, but the semi-final place is a long way from secure yet.”

Sky: “FC Bayern stormed the fortress Bernabéu for the first time in years and can continue to dream of Champions League glory. The outstanding rock Manuel Neuer along with the dream duo Harry Kane and Luis Díaz earned the Munich side a 2-1 win in the quarter-final first leg away to record winners Real Madrid. It means Vincent Kompany’s side hold all the cards for the decisive match next Wednesday (15 April).”

Sport1: “Bayern on course for the semi-finals! FC Bayern landed a hugely important win at Real Madrid. Harry Kane scored a historic goal, while Manuel Neuer demonstrated his class. The Champions League semi-finals are close.”

Reaction from international media

Marca (Spain): “Mbappé gives Real a glimmer of hope against a class outfit. A miracle is required in Munich. Real Madrid have done it before, and we’re talking about Europe here. Anything is possible.”

AS (Spain): “A promising end to a bad night. For an hour, Real Madrid were at the mercy of a dominant FC Bayern Munich, but fought back at the end, nearly salvaged a draw and remain in contention ahead of the second leg in Munich. Neuer put in a heroic performance.”

El Mundo Deportivo (Spain): “Bayern Munich storm the Santiago Bernabéu and are on course to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. Real Madrid will have to produce another of their classic comebacks to stay in the Champions League. The German side were superior but didn’t fully live up their status as clear favourites for the title. Real Madrid did what they could and what they can: run and look for Vinicius and Mbappé. With that alone they take a defeat back to Munich which allows them to keep dreaming.”

Sport (Spain): “FC Bayern leave Real Madrid on the brink. The German team prevailed at the Bernabéu thanks to goals from Luis Díaz and Kane, with Mbappé pulling one back – the only time the brilliant Neuer was beaten.”

The analysis of the win at Real:

The Guardian (England): “Another wild Champions League night had this place believing in another crazy comeback. In the end, though, Bayern Munich held on for a win that sets up another, definitive battle at the Allianz Arena next week. A Kylian Mbappé goal began a rebellion that could have left the tie on even more of a knife edge than it is, but Madrid also found Manuel Neuer rolling back the years, aged 40, with nine saves.”

The Athletic (England): “Vincent Kompany and his players departed the pitch at the Bernabeu celebrating the Germans’ first win over Real Madrid for 14 years. That they might actually have ended partly frustrated to be taking only a one-goal advantage back to Bavaria sums up how well they played – up to a point. Madrid endured chastening moments. They will be braced for more next week in the return. But they are not out of this tie just yet.”

Gazzetta dello Sport (Italien): “Bayern win the first round, but Mbappé keeps everything open. Bayern dominated for a long time at the Bernabéu, made Madrid suffer and produced some sublime football. Yet they only won 2-1. What the Madridistas saw as half full is certainly half empty for the Bavarians. They owe another win this season to the brilliant 40-year-old Manuel Neuer and regret a few missed chances in the closing stages.”

Here’s what Jan-Christian Dreesen had to say in Madrid: