German ‘tiki-taka’ clashes with Spanish counter-attack

Adversaries look to win Champions League title and make history .

KARACHI:

Real Madrid visit holders Bayern Munich in the return leg of the Champions League last-four at the Allianz Arena, hoping to reach the final for the first time in 12 years.

Even though Real won the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu 1-0, courtesy Karim Benzema’s goal in the 19th minute through an incisive counter-attack, the players and management would not have forgotten how Bayern held the majority of the possession during the game. And if Bayern can up the tempo at home, the visiting side have a difficult night ahead of them.

The defeat at the Barnabeu was Bayern’s first in 10 Champions League knockout matches, having won seven and drawn two in their previous nine.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria were particularly guilty of spurning gilt-edged opportunities, and had they been capitalised, it would have given Carlo Ancelotti’s side a more comfortable lead.  However, Real showed their mettle by soaking up the pressure and playing on the counter.

With the trio of Gareth Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema confirmed to feature in the second leg, Bayern may struggle once again with Real’s pace as they continue their quest for a La Decima. The Spaniards have fallen in the semi-final stage in each of the last three seasons, twice succumbing to German opposition in Borussia Dortmund and Bayern themselves.

Real are already in fine attacking form after their 4-0 win over Osasuna in the La Liga on Saturday, the fifth time in the last seven matches that Ancelotti’s side have scored three goals or more. Ronaldo also proved he was back to full fitness, scoring twice to take his personally tally to 47 goals for the season.

The team will look for an away goal and will take heart from the fact that they have scored in all their away fixtures this season.

And Ancelloti knows the importance of an away goal.

“I have every confidence in the players and I think everyone should do. The plan in Munich is to score, rather than defend.”

The German strength 

On the other hand, the Bundesliga champions, who are on course to claim five trophies in Pep Guardiola’s maiden season, have suffered just four home defeats since the start of last year’s campaign, having allowed only Arsenal and Manchester City taste success at the Allianz Arena in the Champions League.

And with the Bavarians bidding to reach their fourth Champions League final in five years and hoping to become the first team to retain the Champions League title, club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has turned up the heat by suggesting ‘away teams think they are in hell’ at the Allianz Arena.

Just as Real will be riding on the back of a weekend victory, Bayern, in their last league fixture against Werder Bremen, came twice from behind to ensure a 5-2 victory. Bremen played on the counter like Real and were 2-1 up at half-time. Bayern went onto score four in the second half when they tired their opponents, and they may look to tire Real out as well.

Thus keeping their tempo in check, Guardiola is adamant that his side can overturn the first-leg defecit.

“I have total faith in my team,” the manager told the club’s official website. “We can do it if we all pull together.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2014.

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