Press Review –
After Bayern Munich’s qualification against Real Madrid in an exceptional match (4-3), all of Europe is showing enthusiasm for the scenario of this memorable encounter.
An exciting match. Perhaps even, and even more so for many, the best match of the season so far, by far. The Bavarians and Madrileños delivered an incredible performance in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena.
If the Germans are smiling this Thursday morning thanks to their victory (4-3) snatched at the end of the match, leading to qualification for the Champions League semi-finals, then all lovers of the beautiful game had a memorable evening, whether in the stands or on their couch. The European press, captivated by this match that will be remembered, certainly doesn’t fail to highlight it.
A legendary match
Sports daily L’Équipe speaks of “madness” on its front page today after the “spectacular” and “breath-taking” match put on by both teams in Munich. The Bavarians and Madrileños traded blows, especially in the first 45 minutes, “absolutely crazy, dizzying, irrational,” which were a “fantastic spectacle” as praised by the French media.
Eurosport also emphasizes “a match that lacked nothing.” Compared to a “boxing match,” this quarter-final was “memorable” at all levels and “never allowed the spectators to breathe,” according to the sports media. “Thank you for the show,” they titled on their website.
At Le Figaro, this “historic” encounter was also greatly appreciated. This “crazy match” will leave “memories for life for Munich supporters.” Despite their immense disappointment and the likely “emptiness” for Real Madrid at the end of this season, it is legitimate to think that Madrid supporters will remember this match for a very long time.
Spanish media criticize the refereeing
In Spain, the atmosphere is different. They have reason to be disappointed after coming very close to another exploit for which they are famous. The kings of the Champions League are them, with their 15 titles. But for the second consecutive year, the Madrileños have been knocked out in the quarter-finals. Despite the irrational evening experienced in Germany, the Spaniards have found their culprit: Slavko Vincic, the referee of the match.
The pro-Madrid newspaper Marca reiterates once again what its rival pro-Barcelona Sport had already said, which titled the day before “What an injustice” in Catalan after the elimination of Blaugrana against Atletico de Madrid on Tuesday evening. This sense of injustice is highlighted by the Spanish daily, which even goes as far as to claim that Eduardo Camavinga’s expulsion is “an attempt to kill football” by the Slovenian referee.
A similar sentiment is echoed by AS. The Spanish newspaper criticizes the Slovenian referee for sending off the French international while the Merengues were dominating at that moment in the match. Before Eduardo Camavinga’s exit, the Madrileños were having “a heroic match, showing unprecedented sacrifice.” But this “absurd and excessive decision, which deserves to be contested, probably sealed the fate of a magnificent match,” affirms the Spanish newspaper, noting that Real Madrid led three times but failed to keep their advantage.
Bayern to face Paris Saint-Germain
But it is not on this contentious refereeing decision that the German media preferred to focus. Thanks to their qualification, Bayern Munich reaches the Champions League semi-finals, after being eliminated in the quarter-finals last season. Bild affirms that “what Bayern has accomplished is actually impossible.”
The German newspaper thus praised several individuals from the club: Michael Olise, “the best winger of the season” with his 18 goals and 29 assists in all competitions; Harry Kane, “the best striker”, already with over 50 goals in all competitions; and Luis Diaz (24 goals / 18 assists), “the best signing of the year”. Additionally, off the field, Bild also praised Vincent Kompany, “the most prominent coach in Europe,” recalling that the Belgian “arrived as the eighth candidate and is on the way to becoming the top European,” with “exceptional work” on the Bavarian bench, providing a lot of serenity.
As for their future opponent, Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals (first leg on April 28, second leg on May 6), L’Équipe suggests that PSG may face “an opponent even stronger than the one that imposed itself at Parc des Princes” last November (1-2). The French sports daily was impressed by the Bavarians, who “do not give up, do not yield, and never give up.” The Parisians are warned, as all of Europe salivates in anticipation of this encounter that could also become legendary.
