Real Madrid has perfected the art of scoring goals when you least expect it. During the Champions League semifinal, Bayern Munich seemed to be in control, but it was Real Madrid who seized the opportunity.
Vinícius Júnior capitalized on a brilliant pass from Toni Kroos and put Madrid ahead with their first real chance.
Kroos explained, “I know Viní prefers open spaces to control the ball, so I played it there, and he made a great run to make my pass look easy.”
Real Madrid’s ability to score unexpectedly plays on their opponents’ minds, as Bayern’s Leon Goretzka admitted after the 2-2 draw.
Goretzka said, “We lost sight of Vinícius for a moment, and then there was a big gap. Real has that quality, and you have to be alert all the time.”
Although Bayern had more possession and shots, the semifinal series remains open as they head to Madrid for the return match.
Goretzka added, “We faced similar situations last season against Paris with Neymar and Mbappé. They are top-quality players and can be dangerous. You always need a strong defense against them.”
Real Madrid could have scored more after Vinícius’s goal, but Bayern’s confidence took a hit, and the momentum shifted.
Vinícius secured a late equalizer with a penalty, showing Madrid’s resilience.
Vinícius stated, “Real Madrid is always proactive. Now we need to stay focused for the full 90 or even 120 minutes at the Bernabéu.”
The winner will face Borussia Dortmund or Paris Saint-Germain in the final in London on June 1.
