[caption id="attachment_179035" align="aligncenter" width="550"]
Real Madrid's Marcelo (R) in action during the UEFA Champions League semifinals soccer match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at Allianz Arena, in Munich, Germany, 25 April 2018. (AP/PTI)[/caption]
Munich, April 26 (IANS): A clinical Real Madrid came from behind to secure a vital 2-1 away victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League's semi-final here.
The "Bavarians" opened the scoring through Joshua Kimmich but their wastefulness allowed Marcelo and Marco Asensio to turn the tides for Real on Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency.
Bayern suffered an unfavourable start, as Arjen Robben was forced off the pitch due to an injury just eight minutes into the duel.
It was a close affair but neither side were able to produce clear-cut opportunities in the opening period. Things changed with the opener when Joshua Kimmich raced clear on the right wing, following a through ball from James Rodriguez, to beat Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas in the 8th minute.
The hosts remained on the front foot but neither Franck Ribery nor Robert Lewandowski was able to make the most of promising chances.
Things went from bad to worse when injured Jerome Boateng had to be replaced by Niklas Suele at the half hour mark.
Real punished Bayern's wastefulness before the half-time whistle as the hosts failed to clear a corner allowing Marcelo to hammer home into the far post corner from the edge of the box in the 43rd minute.
Jupp Heynckes' men were caught flat footed after the restart, as Real bounced back after Rafinah's misplaced pass gave Lucas Vasquez the chance to pass into the path of Marco Asensio, who made no mistake to beat Bayern custodian Sven Ulreich in the 57th minute.
Bayern pressed for the equaliser but the German record champions lacked in accuracy to secure a much needed win on home turf.
With the result, Real Madrid eye a third consecutive Champions League final. Bayern have to try an overturn in Madrid on Tuesday.
"I am very delighted with the win. It was a tough game for us especially in the opening period and the first half," Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said.
"We needed some time to gain a foothold into the game. We opened the scoring but gave away two easy goals. Besides, we left too many chances unused. We still have a second leg ahead of us," Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes said.
