These are Real Madrid’s principles, and if you don’t like them … well, they have others. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were pummelled by Bayern Munich for long periods here, run left and right, hassled and jostled and almost toppled. And yet – of course – here they are, still standing, even marginal favourites courtesy of the magical right boot of Vinícius Júnior.
Vinícius’s late penalty salvaged a game that Thomas Tuchel and Bayern had threatened to snatch in four riotous second-half minutes. Tuchel’s half-time substitution stretched the game, changed the game, shook out two well-deserved goals by Harry Kane and the wonderful Leroy Sané to cancel Vinícius’s early strike. As the Bayern coach prepares to take his leave, this was a reminder that there are few better coaches in the world at the bespoke gameplan for the big occasion.
