Advantage Bayern after first-leg victory at Real Madrid

FC Bayern beat Real Madrid 2-1 on Tuesday night to put themselves in a promising position to reach the Champions League semi-finals. Luis Díaz handed Bayern the lead late in the first half of a heavyweight clash that lived up to its billing. Harry Kane added a second after half-time, with Kylian Mbappé pulling one back for Real with 15 minutes to go.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Josip Stanišić, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Konrad Laimer in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry and Díaz, with Kane up front. Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala replaced Laimer and Gnabry midway through the second half, with Leon Goretzka and Tom Bischof coming on for Pavlović and Díaz in added time.

Díaz opens in thriller

Bayern got off to the better start, with Laimer aiming too high before Olise’s free-kick was deflected behind and Gnabry miscued an overhead kick. Kimmich’s fine cross soon found the unmarked Upamecano in the box, but the centre-back was unable to get the ball over the line. The pendulum swung the other way for a spell, Neuer denying Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.

Gnabry intercepted a pass in the box but saw his shot diverted wide before Neuer made a fine save to deny Mbappé. Bayern finally took the lead when Gnabry’s pass released the charging Díaz, who coolly slotted home before half-time.

First Bernabéu win since 2001

Munich doubled the lead straight after the restart when Pavlović won the ball in midfield and teed up Olise, who squared for Kane to curl in. Olise saw a shot saved, but Real almost pulled one back when Upamecano misjudged a header and Vinícius Júnior had only Neuer to beat but was forced wide and hit the side netting. Olise bent a shot over and a Díaz effort was blocked before Neuer made another strong save against Mbappé, who fired wide minutes later.

Real did pull one back when Alexander-Arnold’s low cross found Mbappé, who scored via Neuer’s fingertips. Kane put just wide on the spin, but the Spaniards pushed for an equaliser and Neuer saved from Brahim Díaz and Vinícius Júnior. Both Musiala and Mbappé put promising chances wide as Bayern claimed a first victory over Real since 2012 and first at the Bernabéu since 2001 as they take an advantage back to Munich.

The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to face St. Pauli in the Bundesliga. The second leg at the Allianz Arena is next Wednesday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen