A solitary first-half goal from Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid to win narrowly the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
The visitors bossed possession but failed to create many meaningful chances and Real were able to capitalise in the 19th minute when Fabio Coentrao picked out Benzema with a low cross, giving the striker a simple tap in from close range.
The Wednesday’s victory means Madrid extended their unbeaten home record in the competition to 18 games. But they may live to regret not converting a couple of clear chances in the first half when Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria both produced wasteful efforts.
“It was a very tough match, intense and difficult they are a team which always likes to control the game and we virtually let them have possession of the ball,” Real defender Sergio Ramos told Canal Plus.
“We worked superbly in defence and we knew how to create our chances and I think it is a satisfactory result to take to Munich and try to make it through to the final.”
The Defending champions enjoyed a good late spell and Casillas was called into action with just over five minutes still to play when Mario Gotze managed to round several defenders, but his finish was saved by Real keeper.
“We have to congratulate the team. We were the better side. These few centimetres were missing at times,” Robben told ZDF tv.
“Goetze had a great chance. Had he scored it would be 1-1. But still we are fully confident for the rematch. We expected a storm but they waited. That was a bit of a surpise.
“We had chances to score. It was a good game and I liked how we played, especially after the two weeks when we were not in top form.”
MATCH FACTS
Real Madrid: Casillas, Carvajal, Fabio Coentrao, Alonso, Pepe (Varane 73), Ramos, Modric, Isco (Illarramendi 82), Benzema, Di Maria, Ronaldo (Bale 74)
Subs not used: Marcelo, Casemiro, Morata, Lopez
Goal: Benzema 19
Booking: Isco
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Rafinha (Javi Martinez 66), Alaba, Kroos, Boateng, Dante, Robben, Lahm, Mandzukic, Schweinsteiger (Muller 74), Ribery (Gotze 72)
Subs not used: Pizarro, Weiser, Zingerie, Raeder
Referee: Howard Webb
Source: Sokkaa