Bayern Strikes
Fansided

Five takeaways as Bayern Munich hand Real Madrid an easy win

By Benjamin Scott

MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 25: Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Bayern Muenchen and Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena on April 25, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 25: Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Bayern Muenchen and Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena on April 25, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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Robert Lewandowski and James Rodriguez both played big roles for Bayern Munich yesterday, one for good and the other for ill. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
Robert Lewandowski and James Rodriguez both played big roles for Bayern Munich yesterday, one for good and the other for ill. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Bayern Munich were wasteful in their 2-1 loss to Real Madrid yesterday. Here’s five takeaways from the disappointing match at the Allianz Arena.

Joshua Kimmich and James Rodriguez step up again

Joshua Kimmich and James Rodriguez have been two of the Bavarians’ best players this season. The young right-back and former Real Madrid midfielder were once again instrumental for Bayern Munich in the first leg of this semi-final tie.

Their excellent combination gave Bayern the lead midway through the first half. James played a lovely through ball, leading Kimmich down the right flank into acres of space. The 23-year-old stormed into the Madrid box and caught Keylor Navas out of position to fire his team ahead.

The two remained largely influential on the night. James was, as usual, the central creative force in Bayern’s midfield. Only one player — Rafinha — had more touches than the Colombian on the night. He was fired up from the beginning, eager to show his former club what they have been missing out on this season.

Kimmich, meanwhile, stormed the right flank with aplomb. His crossing was a significant threat to the Madrid defense and only James (four) played more key passes than the right-back’s three. He was stable defensively as well, an area many he has struggled in at times this season.

Had everyone stepped up and played on the same level as these two players, the match surely would have ended with a much different result. They should be the first two names on the clean sheet for the return leg in Madrid next week. They’ve more than deserved their spot in the starting XI.

Robert Lewandowski on the other hand…

Where do you even begin? Robert Lewandowski went missing (again) when Bayern Munich needed him most. And this time it can’t be blamed on a lack of chances. The Pole had plenty of opportunity to secure a big goal for the Bavarians, but he never delivered.

Two chances in particular standout: a tame header from a James Rodriguez cross fired straight into Keylor Navas right on the cusp of half-time, and a beautiful one-on-one opportunity (created by a perfect pass from Corentin Tolisso) in the 88th minute sent well wide of goal from about eight yards out.

This isn’t the first time Lewandowski has failed to deliver for Bayern Munich when the club needs him most. Putting several goals past Bundesliga teams is one thing, but the club needs him to deliver on the big occasion.

He’s received plenty of flak from the Bayern faithful, too. Some even suggest Sandro Wagner get the nod in the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. That may seem a bit harsh, but is it too far off base?

Wagner, though undeniably not as purely talented as Lewandowski, always gives 100 percent when on the pitch. If he’s not scoring goals, he’s at least tracking back and chasing down every single ball in his vicinity. And it’s not like he can really do that much worse than the Pole.

Lewandowski had plenty of chances to put his team ahead and didn’t do it. For a guy who is supposed to be one of the best in the world at scoring goals, he was awfully disappointing on Wednesday.