Kickoff chronicles

Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid

1st Half

The first of the two semi finals was staged at the Allianz Arena with record holders Real Madrid travelling over to Germany to take on 6 time UCL winners Bayern Munich. The German giants almost made the perfect start inside 30 seconds when Harry Kane’s deft touch outside the area fell to Leroy Sane whose shot was parried away by Madrid keeper, Andre Lunin. Thomas Tuchel’s side continued to dominate the opening 20 minutes but, to the shock of the Allianz Arena, Los Blancos took an early lead. A phenomenal pass from the ex Bayern man, Toni Kroos, in the midfield was perfectly weighted into the path of Vinicius Junior who had made an intelligent run. The Brazilian Magnifico was isolated as he ran onto the ball and tucked it around Bayern keeper, Manuel Neuer, bowing to Kroos in appreciation of his vision. Both teams had chances to score from a free kick from close range just before the interval. Harry Kane’s effort for the hosts just blazed wide of the far post whereas Rodrygo’s for the travelling side was nowhere near as close, hitting Kane’s head in the wall and deflecting away from danger. The half ended 0-1 with The Galacticos hoping to go home to the Bernabeu with an advantage. 

2nd Half

The home side made the perfect start to the second period when Konrad Laimer spread the ball out wide to the ever-present Leroy Sane. The German winger dribbled into the Madrid 18 yard area giving full back Ferland Mendy all sorts of problems. He cut inside and drilled his shot at the near corner watching it fly past Lunin and hitting the back of the net, finally giving the Allianz Arena something to cheer about. Bayern made it 2 in double quick time after Jamal Musiala was brought down inside the penalty area when his driving run was too much for Real defender Nacho to handle. Harry Kane stepped up to take the spot kick and take it he did as he watched it ripple the back of the net after he composed himself and placed it into the bottom left corner. The 14 time champions slowly got back into their flow and were rewarded with a chance to level the game after Rodrygo was fouled inside the area by Bayern centre back Kim. Vini jr stood over it and did not disappoint, watching Neuer dive to the left and slotting it right down the middle. This turned out to be the last big action of the game, it all ending 2-2, and these two European giants will go at it again in 8 days time in Madrid.

Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain

1st Half

Edin Terzic’s side almost got off to a brilliant start when Jadon Sancho won the ball on the right wing. The Manchester United loanee played it to Julian Brandt who found Marcel Sabitzer inside the PSG area. The Swiss international forced a strong save from the chest of Italian keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, but it was a solid start for the German hosts. It was fair to say Dortmund dominated the majority of the first half and they finally found the opener in the 36th minute. Nico Schlotterbeck played a perfect pass over the The Parisians defence and into the path of striker Niclas Fulkrug. The German’s first touch with his right boot was immaculate, bringing it down onto his left just outside the penalty area. He struck the ball with so much power it flew by Donnarumma at his near post, putting the hosts up 1-0. Dortmund would have been disappointed they didn’t go into the break up by 2 when Sabitzer had his volley inside the PSG penalty area saved by Donnarumma. The first half ended 1-0 with Luis Enrique’s side needing improvement if they were to go back to France with a result. 

2nd Half

The Parisians almost scored twice inside the opening 5 minutes of the second period when Kylian Mbappe’s shot from the right side of the penalty area hit the inside of the post. 20 seconds later it fell to Achraf Hakimi who drilled his shot at the bottom left corner, only for his shot to hit the inside of the post as well. It was a nervy opening 10 minutes in the second half for the home fans but their team slowly started to regain their dominance. All of their opportunities in the second half came through Jadon Sancho who was always positive when on the ball. The travelling side had a few more chances but failed to make any count and the first leg finished 1-0 to the German side with everything to play for in Paris 6 days time.