Madrid scored an early goal in the 12th minute, quite lucky, very untypical mistake for Kahn. Then they were playing very well, Bayern had a hard time cracking their defense. It looked like Bayern was going to lose its first match in the champions league after 18 games in a row without a loss. But then Real's players do something stupid. They try to show Bayern up in their own stadium. Big mistake. "Brazzo" Salihamidzic and Claudio Pizzarro come in for Bayern and change the tone of the game. Bayern gets angry. After the 70th minute, it was only Bayern. Effenberg misses a penalty, sloppy shot. Elber header hits the horizontal bar. Several good chances. Real is getting nervous. Their showmanship has vanished and fear in the eyes of Real's players is taking its place. Then Effenberg scores the equalizer. Pure willpower. More chances for Bayern. Real tumbles. Bayern is running one attack after the other. Only a few minutes to play. Pizzarro-Elber-Pizzarro - 2:1 Bayern. Real was lucky not to lose higher in the end. They now have lost their last 6 matches in Munich. Of the last 7 games against Bayern, they have lost 6. I have no doubt that Bayern will proceed to the next round. They will not lose in Madrid - Bayern's players are full of confidence now. I am looking forward to a final Bayern - ManU. Message to Real: Never underestimate the heart of a champion .
Me too. Spoiler from 2nd quarter final below... Hopefully the injuries to Beckham and Keane were not too bad. Looked like Beckham were in severe pain - what a moron tackle by Diego Tristan - how that was not a red card only the ref can tell. Also - you know Keane were in pain when he could not walk after the incident (of course neither did Beckham), but it was not the knee as first feared. He could still be out around 1 month still - hope he will be fit soon enough as United need him bad. United's next match will be without Beckham, Keane and Scholes (suspended). Hopefully Veron will be back from injury or even a 2-0 away win at Deportivo might not be enough. Now the depth of United's squad/midfield will be hard tested.
I saw Beckham's goal - amazing. I hate the guy, but his right foot sure is magic. The foul was incredibly stupid. The guy should have been sent off. I am sure ManU will proceed to the next round. Deportivo is not that good. BTW, where was Arsenal?
Well if United hadn't kissed the league goodbye already (though stuffing Leeds on Saturday was freaking beautiful), this should do it. Three starters in the midfield are injured - amazing Giggs isn't one of them Time to focus on the Champions League. Deportivo ain't no slouch, but I think it will simply be too much to overcome given United's European record at Old Trafford. I won't be making any bold predictions yet, however. Let's see how the injuries play out, though apparently they may not miss Keane that much because he's not really that good
Luckily Beckham's injury was not serious - he could be back as soon as the home game vs Deportivo next week.
