Stellar Manuel Neuer Couldn’t Save Bayern Munich From Loss Against Real Madrid

C-. With Lewandowski injured, Ancelotti was forced to play Muller up front in a role which he has never been quite comfortable playing. After Bayern were reduced to 10 men, Ancelotti was not quick enough to shore up the defense and the team suffered for that. Costa and Coman struggled to make any impact after coming into the match, and perhaps Carlo would have been better suited bringing in German wonderkind Joshua Kimmich to help solidify a crumbling defense.. Manager. Bayern Munich. CARLO ANCELOTTI

A. After missing weeks of matches through injury, the world’s best ‘keeper showed no signs of rust against Real Madrid. Although Bayern conceded two goals, Neuer is hardly to blame for either. In fact, if it wasn’t for him this tie would likely be completely done and dusted. Instead, his 10 saves mean Bayern Munich “only” suffered a one goal defeat and still have a realistic chance to advance to the next round.. GK. Bayern Munich. MANUEL NEUER

LB. Bayern Munich. DAVID ALABA. C. The Austrian full-back worked well with his pal Ribery on the left flank, often threatening the Madrid side during the first half. However, when the wheels fell off, Alaba was shifted to central defense and never looked completely comfortable.

D. Before the match we noted that Bayern would need Javi Martinez if they were to win this match. While he proved our suggestion that he would play a key part in this match to be true, it was not in the way which Bayern supporters would have wanted. A good first half was completely overshadowed by a few minutes of madness which saw him get two yellow cards in quick succession.. CB. Bayern Munich. JAVI MARTINEZ

C-. Boateng only looked a glimpse of his self on the day, not exhibiting the many defensive qualities that have so often had him hailed as one of the world’s best.. CB. Bayern Munich. JEROME BOATENG

PHILIPP LAHM (C). C+. Throughout the first half, Lahm constantly threatened the Madrid defense in tandem with teammate Arjen Robben and held Cristiano Ronaldo in his pocket. As the Madridstas grew into the match Lahm looked to slow down slightly. Unless Bayern can pull off an impressive win at the Santiago Bernabeu, it may be Philipp Lahm’s last ever Champions League match.. RB. Bayern Munich

CDM. Bayern Munich. XABI ALONSO. C-. The veteran ex-Madrid star looked completely out of place amongst the speedy pace of this match. Often Bayern Munich’s expert deep-lying playmaker, Alonso only registered 55 touches throughout his 63 minutes on the pitch. Not good for someone so used to dictating play.

C-. Equal parts brilliant and horrific, Vidal both gave Bayern the early lead and skied a penalty well over the crossbar. The Chilean never ceased his tireless running, however, and gave his all until the final whistle. That does not take away from the fact that he could have effectively ended the match but instead gave life to a depleted Madrid side.. CDM. Bayern Munich. ARTURO VIDAL

LM. Bayern Munich. FRANCK RIBERY. C. Ribery was energetic down the left wing and eventually fired the shot which led to Vidal’s penalty miss. Besides that, the Frenchman had little productivity.

C+. Thiago provided the assist for Vidal’s opener, but was not nearly at the same level that Bayern Munich fans have grown accustomed to this season. He showed glimpses of his supreme talent in the first half, but all but disappeared in the second. The Bavarians will need their Spanish maestro to step up if they are to win the all-important away match.. CAM. Bayern Munich. THIAGO

B-. Arjen Robben seemed more likely to score an equalizer than any other player in red after the team collapsed in the second half. His goal never came though, and Robben will feel disappointed to have left the match empty handed.. RM. Bayern Munich. ARJEN ROBBEN

D+. Perhaps more so a product of his being played in a position in which he is not comfortable, Muller struggled to make any sort of impression on the match proceedings. If played properly–behind or with his striker partner Robert Lewandowski–then the Raumdeuter could be a real threat against the Madrid defense. However, forced to play in an unfamiliar role, the German was always going to struggle.. ST. Bayern Munich. THOMAS MULLER

C-. Came in to help patch up the Bayern defense, but was beaten to the ball by Ronaldo for his second of the match. Even Bernat, who has so often been reliable for Bayern this past season, looked out of sorts at the back, proving it just wasn’t Bayern’s day.. LB. Bayern Munich. JUAN BERNAT (63')

He played? The Brazilian winger replaced Ribery and had literally no impact on the outcome of the match. What has happened to the immaculate dribbler who could single-handedly glide through an entire defense? Bayern Munich need him back soon and badly.. LM. Bayern Munich. DOUGLAS COSTA (65'). D

N/A. The young French international came in with the game all but over and did not affect the match at all.. RM. Bayern Munich. KINGSLEY COMAN (80')