Real Madrid did not play well, still had a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

Among the reports after the 2-2 draw between Bayern and Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League first leg in the Spanish newspapers, El Pais newspaper had a shocking headline, they wrote “Madrid never die”. Previously, after the victory over Man City in the quarterfinals, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti also declared: “People think we’re done, but Real Madrid will never die.”

Bayern Munich is good

Coach Thomas Tuchel prepared everything for the match, as he shared after the match. The German strategist created a system that made Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid’s top scorer – mute.

The 4-4-2 formation that Bayern introduced into the heroic display at the Allianz Arena maximized its effectiveness. Eric Dier fulfilled his role of blocking Bellingham well, Konrad Laimer and Joshua Kimmich created two shields on the right edge to deal with Vinicius Junior.

When Bayern has the ball, their 4-4-2 formation changes to 2-2-6, a type of “high-pressing” right in the opponent’s half. In the first 24 minutes, Bayern completely overwhelmed Real Madrid, making it difficult for the La Liga representative to deploy the attack.

But then Toni Kroos with a “super assistive” pass tore through Bayern’s defense, creating conditions for Vinicius to score the opening goal. Central defender Kim Min-jae was guilty of being too “greedy” and “aggressive” in marking Vinicius, but Kroos’s tactical vision was simply superb. It was like a stroke of genius across the sky.

Coach Tuchel proved his class on the day of competition with Carlo Ancelotti.

The loss did not make coach Tuchel collapse, he had prepared plan B. After the break between the two halves, the former Chelsea captain pushed Sane from the left wing to the right, withdrew Leon Goretzka from the field and replaced him with Raphael Guerreiro.

The German strategist wants to fully exploit Sane’s dribbling situations and then cut inside, just like what the famous Arjen Robben did. Guerreiro’s presence helps Bayern Munich have more options in the midfield to create new vitality for the offensive front. Notably, Jamal Musiala was also asked to move from right wing to left.

Coach Tuchel’s tactical changes surprised Carlo Ancelotti on the other side of the field. The rest as they often call it is history.

Sane scored the equalizer for Bayern after a tricky dribble on the right sideline and then finished with his dominant foot. 4 minutes later, Musiala was fouled by Lucas Vazquez in the penalty area, helping the German representative receive a penalty kick. Plan B that coach Tuchel created was a perfect success.

“Everything we calculated was successful,” the 50-year-old captain said after the match. “Bayern started well until Real Madrid scored the first goal. They had two chances and scored two goals. This is what Real Madrid usually does and we are not the first team to experience that” “.

Ancelotti is not a beginner in tactics. But at the Allianz Arena, Tuchel – the younger man – proved his class. The German coach’s adjustments create the feeling of defeating Ancelotti tactically.

More importantly, the former Chelsea coach once again proved to anyone who detracted him how wrong they were. The moment Harry Kane kicked Real Madrid’s goal from the 11 meter mark, coach Tuchel appeared excited, his eyes turned to the stands, perhaps looking for Uli Hoeneß, who criticized him for not being good at improving players.

“Tuchel doesn’t think he can help improve Alphonso Davies, Aleksandar Pavlovic or Jamal Musiala,” Mr. Hoeness told Bild . “When he couldn’t do that, Tuchel wanted the club to buy another player”.

… but Real Madrid is very sorry

Bayern do everything they can. Thomas Tuchel laid out all his plans for the encounter with Real Madrid. After all, what the homeowner got was only a 2-2 draw. An incomprehensible paradox.

Real Madrid did not have a good match. Their football gives fans a very normal feeling. Before Vinicius scored the opening goal, “Los Blancos” almost had to endure the offensive moves Bayern created.

The quality of Real Madrid’s players is too good, a factor that helps them make a difference in the UEFA Champions League.

However, Man City midfielder Bernardo Silva was right when he said Real Madrid is a “strange” team. The players seemed happy with the game without the ball. Then when gaining control, “Los Blancos” created direct attacks. A typical example is the situation where Kroos assists Vinicius to score. Right on the first shot, Real Madrid hit Manuel Neuer’s net.

For Real Madrid, the weapon that helps them score against Bayern lies not only in the quality of their squad, but also in their ability to adapt to developments on the field. When needed, “Los Blancos” is ready to play like a team on the bottom, focusing on defense, waiting for the opponent to make an opening to deliver a knockout blow.

In other words, Real Madrid always seems to “know people who know them”. They do not always rush to attack and then pay the price. Depending on the situation and time, “Los Blancos” will know how to come up with appropriate solutions.

“Real Madrid knows very well the danger and excitement of Bayern when playing at home. Therefore, they try to ‘endure’, accepting to play like the lower team at many times” “, former midfielder Marc Crosas commented on Mexican television.

Meanwhile, former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello emphasized that the quality of players becomes the difference-making factor in the Champions League. In this regard, “Los Blancos” has plenty to own in Toni Kroos, a passing master.

“Real Madrid’s passes made midfielder Kim Min-jae difficult. He lost his position twice. As a result, Bayern Munich was immediately punished,” Mr. Capello stated on Sky Sports .

Real Madrid did not lose at Allianz Arena because they chose to enter the game very “knowing themselves” as well as possessing a team of quality players who can create passes or shots that are different from the rest.

That is a necessary condition. The sufficient condition lies with Bayern itself, with Kim Min-jae’s blameworthy mistake at the most important moment. Two mistakes exchanged for lost goals. The combination of these things caused Bayern to fail in causing sadness to Real Madrid, even though Tuchel beat Ancelotti in the tactical chess game.