After months of debate suggesting Real Madrid plays better without Mbappe, that argument could now end. The little hope the team has of turning the tie around comes from Mbappe.
Bayern shook the foundations of the Bernabeu. But literally. Every time the 4,000 fans located at the top of the north end bounced, the east side grandstand moved. They say it is normal, but it would not hurt for some architect to clarify it. Just in case.
What there is no doubt about is that Madrid's foundations are in much worse shape. And no, Arbeloa's team did not deserve to lose, but the feeling the match left is that Bayern is much more than this Real Madrid, which stayed on its feet out of pride, out of the Bernabeu, and out of Mbappe's sprints, but not out of football.
There will be those who want to continue feeding the 'debate' that Madrid is better without the Frenchman, but the only goal for Madrid was his; the best chances were also his, and Bayern's goals did not come precisely from his mistakes.
That Madrid is more of a team, more choral, more whatever, without Mbappe would be a nice theory, almost poetic, if it were not for the fact that football usually prefers those who do impossible things over those who explain why they are not necessary. If Madrid still goes to Munich with some hope, however small, it is because of Mbappe.
It happened to Thiago on the day of City, and again against Bayern, when he lost the ball at the edge of the six-yard box. Against City, Courtois saved him, and this time it was Lunin who used his reflexes to save Gnabry's shot.
The academy product received the biggest ovations of the night thanks to his effort, but his daring to take risks in areas of the field where he should not have, almost cost him a big problem.
Arda Guler was Madrid's best. The one who best understood the match and the player who most resisted defeat while he was on the field. Arda put in a remarkable first half, close to outstanding, and continued his strong performance in the second half. Precise with the ball, practically everything came off for him. The one who best launched Madrid in attack and the first to leave Mbappe one-on-one with Neuer.
Neuer is not at his best moment, obviously, but he is not finished. He had a great match at the Bernabeu and saved Bayern in the first half with three good saves, two on Mbappe and one on Vinicius, and with another three in the second half.
The German goalkeeper arrived at the match with doubts, but when it mattered, he responded with a great match, with game-saving interventions that allowed Bayern to keep a clean sheet until the 73rd minute.
Alvaro was warned, but it turned out worse than expected. Olise made Carreras go through one of his worst nights as a Madrid player. Madrid's fullback held on as best he could, but in front of him was one of the best players in Europe today, a footballer with a tremendous physique and one-on-one ability that is indecipherable for defenders. It had been a long time since a rival player had been so superior in duels at the Bernabeu.
Tchouameni will not be able to play the second leg for brushing Olise as the Bayern player chased a ball into space. Tah, for leaving his studs on Mbappe, will. The punishment was the same for both, possibly in one of the only two controversial decisions by referee Michael Oliver throughout the match. Without impact on the scoreboard, the differences in the criteria for these actions do carry weight in the tie.
Join The Conversation
Roundtablesports is Free to join! You can post your own thoughts, comment on articles, and start conversations with our Roundtable Writers.
Download the FREE Roundtable APP, and get even easier access to your favorite teams and news!