Real lose out to Bayern on penalties

Well we now know who’ll face Chelsea on May 19th at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich and it’s not Real Madrid ;-). The merengues beat Bayern 2-1 last night at the Bernabéu but after extra time it went to the dreaded penalty shoot out.

Goals came from Cristiano Ronaldo, one was a penalty and Robben, who has been anxious for revenge against his old side, also stuck one in from the spot. Bayern’s goal gave them hope and equalled the scoreboard and to be honest the German outfit played pretty well.

Extra time came and went and it was down to a penalty shoot out. Ronaldo was first up and shot to the keeper’s right and it was saved. Then it was Bayern’s turn and they scored. up next was Kaká who carbon copied Ronaldo’s strike and was also saved by Manuel Neuer. Bayern’s second strike also went in and Madrid were in trouble. Xavi Alonso made sure of his penalty and then the German outfit fluffed two of theirs so it was all even again. Then it came down to the wire and Sergio Ramos sky-rocketed the ball over the German keeper’s goal. Surely that was it as Bastian Schweinsteiger just had to beat Casillas. He did and that was the end of Real Madrid’s adventure in the Champions League this year. They went the same way as Barca and now they have to console themselves with the league title.

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes was ecstatic after the final whistle:

“We played a great game against an extraordinary opponent who went 2-0 ahead tonight but we have managed to get a goal back, our goalkeeper has been great at the end and we’ve had a bit of luck.

“I told them before we may have to play for 120 minutes but I did not expect the penalties. My players are tired, the tension was high, but we’ve achieved our main objective of the season, it was almost an obsession for us to play the final in our stadium,” he said.

Real’s coach Jose Mourinho was philosophical about the defeat.

“You have to be level-headed about it when you win and lose, football is like that,” he said.

So, the big day to mark in our calendars is May 19th at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich which happens to Bayern’s ground. With Chelsea having four players out for the final it does look like Bayern have it all their own way. Terry, Ramires, Ivanovic and Raul Meireles will not be playing as they have all picked up cards on the way. Will Chelsea produce another miracle against the German machine?