DPA

 

Real Madrid beat defending champions Bayern Munich 1-0 yesterday in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on an early goal from Karim Benzema.

Bayern enjoyed 75% possession of the ball but distinctly lacked a cutting edge. In contrast, Real were content to soak up the pressure and play on the break - and could have won by a greater margin.

Bayern - bidding to become the first team to successfully defend the title since AC Milan in 1990 - started brightly, pinning Real back well into their own half, but failed to create any clear chances.

The only goal came in the 19th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo - back after two weeks out with a hamstring strain - released fellow Portuguese Fabio Coentrao down the left and the latter centred for the unmarked Benzema to score from close range at the far post.

Ronaldo then missed two good chances to increase Real’s lead, with the Bayern defence looking shaky - and with the packed Estadio Bernabeu enjoying the battle.

Real’s Welsh winger Gareth Bale finally came off the bench, after being laid low with flu for three days, but looked short on energy.

Real lost defender Pepe to an injury but still managed to keep Bayern at bay, with wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben failing to make their usual impact.  

The second leg will be played in Munich on April 29.

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