This couple is the absolute record holder of the most prestigious Euro Tournament. No other teams have played so often with one another. However, there is a curious pattern: for some time now, each next match was worse than the previous one, had less impact on the situation in the League and, as a result, caused less and less public resonance.
In 2000 and 2001, the winner of the pair later became the best club in Europe. In 2002, “Real” was limited to the semifinals. And then not one of the greats was allowed on to the quarter-final stage. “Real” and “Bavaria” ceased to dominate in Europe: the change of dynasties - in football is common.
And now both clubs are close to the extreme point of decline. Even the previous joints of “Real” and “Bavaria”, not differing in spectacle or beauty, still inspired respect: there was a feeling of tension, the seriousness of what was happening. Now the great clubs scored four goals in Santiago Bernabeu in 45 minutes, but I really want to shrug, shrug and ask: “What are you doing here?” In the 1/8 finals of the Champions League ...
The crisis of “Bavaria” - it is worse and deeper than the crisis of “Real”. In Madrid, it is smooth, spreading over the season. No one promised that everything would go well with Capello right away - the problems with Real Madrid are now constant and quite expected. Another thing is Bayern. As early as the fall, the Munich team defeated Inter Champion Group without any problems, and in a businesslike and calm manner removed it in Milan. Failures in the championship could be attributed to a change of priorities - after two takes in a row, Felix Magat wanted to prove himself in Europe. But in the new year, Bayern unexpectedly turned into such, sorry for the expression, trash that the hair stands on end. Neither Magat, nor Hitzfeld, who succeeded him, nor Beckenbauer know how to get out of this rather smelling state. So the “Real” still looked like a relative favorite.
Fabio Capello is not very like a seer. But Beckham's return is the most brilliant move for the current situation. “Real” does not have a normal attacking game, just as the England team did not have it at the World Cup. But there is Beckham - and this is a serve, kicks, corner and free kick. Two goals against Bayern after David sheds - a brilliant result for Real Madrid, which scores two goals for the match this season on major holidays. One more ball van Nistelrooy and Raul realized themselves - the masters!
But the “Bavaria” has its own mini Beckham - Willy Sagnol. After his submission, Lucio hung in the air of Cannavaro and equalized at that time the score. So, three of these four unexpected goals came from "standards".
Everything in this match was a little ridiculous, albeit sincerely. Here “Real” scores a quick goal - a wonderful help. So no - it instantly misses the answer - from the very first normal Bavarian "standard". 1: 1 away - a great score already for the “Bavaria”. You can calmly fight back, looking for counterattacking chances. The most Bavarian game. Well, run away! Oliver Kahn fought off the first strike already at the score 1: 3.
In the second half, “Real” gave “Bavaria” everything - the ball, territory, initiative. There was an impression that Fabio Capello sacredly believed that Real had already scored all his goals and the main thing now was to maintain a good score. “Bayern” pearl forward, although normal rallies did not work, and Schweinsteiger and Podolsky did not even pull Hamlet’s father in the same shadow.
Salihamidžić and Pizarro added a twinkle, and it was felt that Bayern could score. Casillas first made a mistake at the exit, almost giving the Peruvian striker a goal. But then he accomplished an almost miracle, repelling Pizarro's point-blank attack. Roberto Carlos injury allowed Salihamidzic to pocket the right flank. Raul Bravo, who came out instead of the Brazilian, failed to provide him with decent resistance.
Something was brewing, and Capello was waiting for the final whistle. Players of “Real” primitively knocked the ball to someone else's half, and the joker Robinho was decisively nowhere to turn. “Real” refused all active play, and the only chance to score again arose after a free kick Beckham. The brilliant blow of the Englishman flew into the “nine” at the beginning of the second half, but something descended on Kahn at that moment, he remembered the past, soared with a bird and pulled out the hardest ball.
In the end, Bayern scored. Casillas could not repel Van Bommel's long-range strike - and any other goalkeeper too. Capello was impatient. And now in Munich, “Real” awaits a terrible battle. If football “Bayern” is now playing worse than the “Real”, then the mood in Munich that is necessary. And in two weeks, Bavaria will also have the 70,000th Alliance Arena.
The show will continue, and his hero may suddenly become a shadow favorite of the league. A cup is not a championship; the class here is often not as important as courage. And the winner of such a pair will have courage for sure - the opponent in the next round, the right word, would be better when “Real” and “Bavaria” performed the expected 0: 0 by many.
Kirill DEMENTYEV
REAL - BAVARIA - 3: 2 (3: 1)
Goals: 1: 0 - Raul (10), 1: 1 - Lusio (23), 2: 1 - Raul (28), 3: 1 - van Nistelrooy (34), 3: 2 - van Bommel (88).
REAL: Casillas, Roberto Carlos (Raul Bravo, 59), Elgera, Cannavaro, Curro Torres, Gago, Guti, Raul, Beckham, Higuain (Robinho, 53), van Nistelrooy.
BAVARIA: Caen, Sagnol, Lucio, van Beiten, Demichelis (Salihamidžić, 46), van Bommel, Lam, Hargreaves, Schweinsteiger (Scholl, 79), Mackay, Podolski (Pizarro, 61).
Warnings: Demichelis (38), Schweinsteiger (56), Hargreaves (60).
February 20th. The Santiago Bernabéu, 22.45.
Judge: Frank de Bleckere (Belgium).