Tuesday 29 April 2014

MADRID RUN RIOT IN MUNICH

Real Madrid moved a step closer to a 10th European Cup as they blew away defending champions Bayern Munich to reach the final of the Champions League on a record-breaking night at the Allianz Arena.

Holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg of their semi-final, a first-half brace from Sergio Ramos and two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo - which took his season's European tally to a record 16 - handed Real a comfortable 4-0 win that takes them to the Estadio da Luz to face either Chelsea or city rivals Atletico on May 24.
The only negative for Real on a night when they took their goal tally in this season's Champions League to 37 - another record - was a booking for Xabi Alonso that rules the midfielder out of the final.
Both teams made just one change from the first leg with Gareth Bale replacing Isco for Real and Thomas Muller coming in for Rafinha for Bayern.
There was a minute's silence before proceedings began in honour of former Barcelona coach, and Pep Guardiola's former assistant, Tito Vilanova and former Real manager Vujadin Boskov who both passed away last week.
Both sides looked nervous at the outset and it was not surprising that the first chance came from an error as Manuel Neuer came out of his area to head away but could only find Bale who fired over an empty net from distance.
Angel Di Maria fired a speculative effort over the bar shortly after and it was not long before the visitors took the lead in the 16th minute.
Dante did well to cut out a Karim Benzema chance but from the resulting corner Luka Modric swung in the ball and an unmarked Ramos headed powerfully home.


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