Over 87 minutes, Manuel Neuer showed why he is considered the greatest goalkeeper of all time. With some sensational saves, the FC Bayern player frustrated Real Madrid players. But then he suffered an accident that would ultimately cost the German record champions promotion to the Champions League final. After an innocuous long shot from Vinicius, Neuer pushed the ball forward and Joker Joselu humbly thanked him and scored to level the score at 1-1. But in a sold-out Santiago Bernabéu stadium, Bayern suffered a tough setback. Instead of going into extra time with a 3:3 aggregate score – the first leg ended 2:2 in Munich – coach Thomas Tuchel’s side experienced déjà vu from an event 25 years ago.
In the 1999 Champions League final against Manchester United, Bayern led 1–0 at stoppage time and lost 2–1 at Barcelona. Bayern were knocked out again, this time on Spanish soil. Because three seconds into normal time, it was Joselu who had to stretch his legs again after a cross from Germany central defender Antonio Rudigers. An offside condition initially decided was overturned by VAR.
Drama finale
But it took a long time for the 81,000 spectators in the Spanish capital to get excited. The second leg was a mirror image of the first leg eight days ago. It was Munich who did the trick last week, and this time Real dominated at will. But Neuer was not deterred and thwarted all of Royal’s attempts. Bar helped when Vinicius hit the post in the 13th minute. The visitors made several relief attacks and scored touchdowns. But the first half ended goalless.
Things went back and forth in an apparent exchange of blows after the break. Bayern scored the first goal. Of all people, Alphonso Davies has often been linked with rumors of a move to Real Madrid, but has seen a stark drop in performance this season. He only came on during the first half after Serge Gnabry was injured. In the end it accomplished nothing. Konrad Leimer’s Bayern are without a title this season. Star striker Harry Kane, who moved from Tottenham to Sabener Strauss at the start of the season so he could finally lift the trophy, did not bring any luck with the title despite an excellent goal ratio (44 competitive goals).
