REAL MADRID 2-2 BAYERN (4-3 agg.) | PRESS REVIEW
"Real Madrid walk on water" - international press round-up
The world's media hailed Madrid's courage, but also mentioned a penalty not given for a Marcelo handball, Ulreich's gift, luck, and poor football…
The world's media praised the courage Real Madrid showed to get past Bayern Munich in last night's return leg, but also mentioned the penalty which should have been given for a Marcelo handball, Ulreich gifting Benzema's second goal of the night, luck, and below par football…
The German press blame Ulreich and Tolisso
Bild: Ulreich's lapse in concentration cost Bayern a place in the final. The dream of completing the treble lies in tatters.
Die Welt: Tolisso didn't think, Ulreich thought too much... The Bavarians threw away a place in the final in Madrid. The semi-final was ultimately decided when two players simply switched off. The disappointment was clear to see.
Süddeutsche Zeitung (Munich): Two goals just aren't enough for Bayern. Once again, the team passed up too many opportunities then later, shot themselves in the foot with a howler from goalkeeper Sven Ulreich.
Catalan press focuses on the referee
Sport: That's how Madrid qualify. Los Blancos survived a torrent from Bayern and will play the final. A drab performance from Zidane's team, who played with fire and were outplayed by Bayern at the Bernabéu. Two goals from Benzema, one of them thanks to a comical error from the visiting keeper, and a clutch of saves from Keylor Navas put Madrid on their way to Kiev.
Mundo Deportivo: Cakir and Kuipers, Real Madrid's star players. The Turkish ref failed to signal a blatant penalty when Marcelo handled and another against Sergio Ramos; in the first leg, the Dutch match official did not see two clear penalty offences committed by Carvajal
European press heaps praise on Benzema and talk of miracles
L’Équipe: Real Madrid walk on water. You can never rule them out. Real Madrid will contest their third, straight Champions League final, thanks to a miracle. After gaining a lucky, 1-2 win in Munich, Zidane's team were made to suffer agonizingly in the return.
France Football: Benzema sent Real Madrid into the final. Two goals from the Frenchman an an unfortunate misphap from Ulreich puts Madrid into the final for the third consecutive time.
La Gazzetta dello Sport: Whatever happens, Madrid always go through. Zidane's team suffer like no one else, defend with tooth and nail, end up being blockaded inside their own area, play badly... and yet they have made the final for the third year in a row, their fourth in five years (…). The heroes on the night were Karim Benzema, the man the Bernabéu loves to hate and whistles relentlessly; and Keylor Navas, the goalkeeper who they have been trying to offload for the past few seasons.
Daily Mail: James was on the cusp of eliminating his team, but a Ulreich blunder proved costly for Bayern.
Costa Rica hail Keylor, the keeper silenced his critics
Nacion: Keylor Navas was decisive. The Costa Rican produced his best figures in the Champions League against Bayern, pulling offf six saves. Keylor silenced his critics once again and took los blancos into another grand Champions League final.
