For this review, I have decided to chuck my structured format and write freely. What a game we have in store tonight. Clash of the Kings, indeed. Two giants of Europe with so much history and success behind them. 90 minutes away from another show piece event. However, they know history counts for nothing on the night; the only history that will count is from a week ago, the first leg in Munich. Bayern are looking for the 5th title to add to massive trophy cabinet in Munich, while the record champions from Madrid will take their tally to double figures if they lift the trophy.
Hoping, Real look like this at Full Time
If that wasn’t incentive enough, they both now know that, the favorites, Barcelona have been knocked out by the underdogs Chelsea. Both teams will fancy their chances against a suspension hit Chelsea side in the final. A few words on Chelsea may be appropriate here. What a remarkable achievement from them to reach the final. Everyone wrote them off at every step of their journey to the final. Even last night, not in my wildest dreams did I believe that a man down and 2 goals down, Chelsea can reach the final. However, they did just that. Their performance last night reminded me of Djokovic vs Federer semi final at the Wimbledon last year. Djokovic was facing two match points on Federer’s serve, looking dead and buried. The crowd wasn’t even on his side, just like Camp Nou last night. Djokovic looked at the crowd and gave a big smile. He looked right in the eyes of adversity and smiled back. What he did on the next serve was something no normal player could think of doing. He hit a sublime return ace to Federer with one of the cleanest stroke in tennis. He saved that match point and the next, went on to break Federer and serve out the match. He also went to lift the trophy against a Madridista, Rafael Nadal. Omen for Chelsea? maybe. Let’s hope not.
Both exchanged punches at HT in Munich. I wouldn't if they do that again as long as we win
Back to our team Bayern now. They only have a handful of big games left to play now. Tonight’s game is top of the list for them. Even if they go out tonight, they will have one more chance to redeem some pride against league champions Dortmund, in the final of DFB Pokal. Any silverware is craved and celebrated in Munich. But nothing more than European glory. Something that they haven’t won since Oliver Kahnsingle handedly dragged Bayern over the line back in the 00s. Neuer might need to watch some video of Kahn from a decade ago for inspiration for tonight’s game. Bayern are expected to field a full strength side again tonight. They do have 7 players on yellow and one booking away from missing the final. But nobody is thinking ahead of tonight yet. We have to reach the final first, like Bastian said in his press conference in Madrid yesterday. We did outplay Real in the first leg and maybe should’ve scored another goal. Mario Gomez missed a few sitter, right out of Torres’ book (who incidentally scored the goal that confirmed Chelsea play the final, that 50 million pounds goal). However, Gomez did manage to get 1 over the line in stoppage time. It would have been a mountain to climb if we were coming 1-1 into the 2nd leg. 2-1 is a slight advantage, a very thin one. It will be an open game, I’m almost certain of that. Both teams play similar style of football. Fast at breaking, decent at keeping the ball, dodgy at defending. It really is Clash of the Kings.
In the end, I can only hope that 70,000 supporters are cheering for Bayern in Munich in the final. But whatever happens tonight, Mia San Mia.
Note: If you would like to read stats, head to head and records between Bayern and Real, then read this
This is what we want in Munich
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