Bayern Munich 3-1 Real Madrid
Eden Hazard’s Real Madrid debut did not go exactly as planned as Los Blancos were thrashed 3-1 by Bayern Munich in their 2019 International Champions Cup opener.
Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry scored in a space of two second-half minutes as the German giants bounced back in a big way following their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.
SBOBET likely wasn’t alone in being excited for this matchup between Europe’s elite, and it turned out to be quite an entertaining affair.
Real had their fair share of opportunities to make the match more competitive, but their inability to finish their chances cost them dearly in the end.
Highlights of the game
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane named a strong starting XI with Hazard, who was wearing the No. 50 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, out on the left. Meanwhile, Karim Benzema started upfront with new signing Luka Jovic on the bench.
It was Real who started out the match the brighter of the two. Within the first few minutes, Hazard found Isco making a run at the near post, and the Spaniard’s deflected shot was palmed away by the German shot-stopper.
Bayern had their first sight of goal moments later. Renato Sanches found himself wide open from the edge of the box and lined up an effort. However, his shot sailed harmlessly over the bar.
Benzema had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring just moments later as he beat Bayern’s offside trap after a beautiful through ball by Luka Modric. The French forward had an open goal to aim at after Neuer tried to close him down, but his chip was agonisingly off-target.
Neuer was once again called into action as Bayern full-back Joshua Kimmich got on the end of a Modric cross intended for Benzema. The ball would’ve crept in for a Bayern own goal if not for Neuer’s timely intervention.
But on 15 minutes, Bayern would take the lead against the run of play. After a darting run into the box, David Alaba delivered a great cross which found Corentin Tolisso at the edge of the six-yard box. Marcelo was able to clear Tolisso’s initial shot off the line, but the Bayern midfielder buried the ball into the back of the net with his follow-up effort.
Real searched for an equaliser for the rest of the half, but they couldn’t create many clear-cut opportunities. Although, Hazard was able to force a save out of Neuer with a shot cutting in from the left.
Benzema then came very close once again on 42 minutes. All he needed to do was poke the ball in from point-blank range after a great ball from Marco Asensio. But the French forward fluffed his lines and failed to make contact.
Both teams made a boatload of substitutions at half-time. Real replaced their entire 11, while Bayern brought on Lewandowski, Gnabry, and Benjamin Pavard.
Bayern had a great chance to go up by two 11 minutes after the break. Kingsley Coman delivered a wonderful cross for Thiago Alcantara, but the Spanish midfielder couldn’t direct his header on target.
But Bayern eventually did get that second goal on 67 minutes through Lewandowski. The Polish striker scored his second goal of the tournament with a brilliantly executed shot on the turn which was just beyond the reach of Keylor Navas.
Bayern would then make it three just a couple minutes later. Gnabry, who was denied moments earlier by Navas, gave the Real keeper no chance with his cool and calm finish into the bottom corner.
Real did get a consolation goal after a fantastic free-kick from Rodrygo, which has to go down as one of the top International Champions Cup 2019 highlights to date.
The teenage debutant rifled the ball beyond the reach of Bayern’s third-string keeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann, who came on after Sven Ulreich’s red card for bringing down Rodrygo. But it was too little too late as Bayern held on to claim all three points.
Key statistics
This matchup against two of the biggest clubs not only in Europe but the world was a highly entertaining one, and the stats bore that out. There were 37 shots in total, with Bayern having the slight edge, 20-17. They also had the advantage in terms of shots on target over Real, 11-6.
Just like they did against Arsenal, Gnabry and Lewandowski made quite an impact after coming on at half-time. Lewandowski has two goals from six shots in two halves of action, while Gnabry had three shots (all on target) against Real.
What’s next?
Bayern will wrap up their International Champions Cup schedule with their third and final match against AC Milan in Kansas City on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Bayern’s first two opponents — Real Madrid and Arsenal — will collide at FedExField near Washington, D.C.
Arsenal could potentially clinch the 2019 International Champions Cup crown with another win. The Gunners have won their first two matches, most recently thrashing Fiorentina 3-0.
But the International Champions Cup 2019 betting odds will likely still favour Real, who will be eager to put the Bayern result behind them.
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