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Tag: FC Bayern Munich

  • FC Bayern Munich Falls To Real Madrid CF In Semifinal Match

    FC Bayern Munich Falls To Real Madrid CF In Semifinal Match

    FC Bayern Munich cannot exactly say that they put up a brave fight when they lost Tuesday to Real Madrid CF.

    In fact, quarter-finalists Dortmund would serve as a better example of a Bundesliga team that truly fought to get to the next stage. Both teams fell to Real Madrid, but Bayern’s performance was decidedly anemic for defending champions.

    Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of this 0-4 home defeat, which amounts to a 0-5 loss on aggregate, is there was simply nothing given by the Munich team.

    Not even a compensatory goal for Bayern fans.

    It could be that all of the fight went out of the German team with the first Sergio Ramos header.

    It was a beautiful goal that came in the 15th minute from a corner kick by Luka Modrić. If that didn’t crush the spirit of the Bundesliga champions, perhaps it was the second Ramos header which came a mere four minutes later.

    All anyone can say is that there was clearly nothing going forward on the German side of the match and manager Pep Guardiola seemed completely out of ideas.

    Any and all credit must go to the visiting Real Madrid team.

    At this stage last year, it was Real Madrid once again missing out on a trip to the final Champions League game.

    An emotional Cristiano promised the Madrid fans a CL final this year. To hold up his end, he joined Sergio Ramos in netting a brace for the La Liga team.

    First Ronaldo scored in the 34th minute from a Gareth Bale pass and then once more at the very close of the game.

    In the 90th minute, Real Madrid was granted a free kick dangerously close to the Bayern goal. A crafty Ronaldo simply waited for the wall of defending players to jump and kicked the ball under their feet. Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer never saw it coming.

    On the other end, goalkeeper Iker Casillas kept the sheet clean for his Madrid team. Since he has been allowed to play, Real Madrid have been much stronger at the back. It’s likely his efforts will help him see more playing time in La Liga.

    With Bayern gone and Real Madrid through to Lisbon, it will be another day before we know whether we will witness a Madrid derby or a Mourinho vs Real Madrid grudge match.

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  • FC Bayern Munich Held To Draw At Old Trafford

    I’ll be the first to admit that I was wrong regarding my previous prediction of Manchester United FC’s chances at Old Trafford against German champions FC Bayern Munich.

    They were not utterly devastated as I and many others expected.

    Instead, Manchester United defiantly held Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw.

    The first half was scoreless despite Bayern’s dominance. United was determined to not give a defensive inch for as long as possible. The home side was rewarded in the 58th minute by a Nemanja Vidic header which found the back Bayern’s net.

    Manchester United led the game for just under ten minutes. Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger made the game level and gifted his team a crucial away goal.

    Despite losing the clean sheet, there are some potential silver linings for Manchester United.

    First, Schweinsteiger will miss the second leg of the quarterfinals after picking up a second yellow card in the ninetieth minute. Midfielder Javi Martinez has also been ruled out due to his accumulation of yellow cards.

    The loss of these players could help Manchester United to squeak past Bayern Munich into the semi-finals.

    Second, Bayern Munich has seen four English clubs defeat them at home. Such a pattern could shake the club’s confidence enough to give United a ride into the semi-finals.

    Bayern Munich will no doubt be disappointed by their away performance despite the cautious approach taken in the media by manager Pep Guardiola.

    Given the pressure they find themselves under, it could motivate Bayern to succeed at home in same way Manchester United attempted to rise to the occasion today

    I do credit the Manchester United team, particularly their defense, for standing up to a talented football team that practically everyone expected to bully them at Old Trafford.

    Any credit to be had for manager David Moyes? He got his tactics right in that Manchester United weren’t thrashed. However, something in Moyes statements suggest that the draw was better than he expected. He’s “hopeful” they’ll make it through, but confidence is lacking.

    This is not the stage of the Champion’s League for timid uncertainty from anyone.

    Many in the media will hurriedly talk up Manchester United’s ambitions on the back of a 1-1 draw. I will say they did better than expected.

    I’m also not going to make any predictions ahead of the trip to Munich, Germany. It’s not that I’m not afraid of being wrong.

    I’d just rather wait to see whether or not I get to be utterly stunned. Always more fun.

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  • FC Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United: Predictions

    Tomorrow marks the first leg of the clash of Champions League clubs FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United FC.

    It is also April Fool’s Day.

    The way Manchester United’s season has gone so far, for many onlookers the jokes practically write themselves.

    And yet some say it is simply unwise to downplay the chances of the former Barclay’s Premier League champions against Bayern Munich.

    First, it’s possible the Red Devils received a crucial lift from their defeat of Aston Villa FC on Saturday. The 4-1 victory could make them confident of a mid-week repeat.

    If not inspired by the win, they may feel obligated to match the pressure to perform well at Old Trafford following crushing home defeats by league rivals Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC.

    Despite these reasons, I am predicting that the final score will simply not flatter Manchester United.

    In fact, I’m prepared to say outright that Tuesday’s game will feature one the season’s worst home losses to be witnessed at Old Trafford.

    Reason 1: Bayern Munich has already locked down their league, having been crowned champions of Bundesliga faster than any other German side in history. There’s no domestic pressure to distract them from focusing all their attention on a full-scale away attack.

    Unlike other CL sides that have an eye on the top of the table (such as fellow BPL side Chelsea FC), Bayern are capable of putting their full gaze on their opponents.

    Reason 2: Old Trafford is not the terrifying fortress it once was. At least, not for bold and talented away teams. Many Champions League visitors play for an away goal while trying to keep the damage inflicted on them to a minimum.

    It’s very likely that manager Pep Guardiola believes his team can not only get precious away goals, but win and win comfortably. A confident, undistracted Bayern Munich can only spell trouble for the home team.

    Reason 3: Last but not least would be manager David Moyes himself. Moyes is not the master tactician in need of patience and understanding by Manchester United fans. He has revealed himself to be unable to take responsibility for his failed tactics and inability to inspire or even lead the current Manchester United team. Their lack of faith in him is almost palpable.

    There are really a number of contributing factors, but these are the major reasons for my prediction. To be honest, a 0-3 loss would be flattering. I anticipate total humiliation for a team that despite all the turned corners keeps running into dead-ends.

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