Video: Bayern Munich Beat Real Madrid on Penalties, Join Chelsea in Champions League Final
By Ty Duffy
What Happened: Real Madrid’s epic win on Saturday might have cost them today. Mourinho fielded the same full-strength squad in the first match and against Barcelona at midweek. The same players trotted out for their third match in nine days and looked noticeably gassed. Their counterattack lost potency in the second half and in extra time. The lost focus in the shootout can be attributed to exhaustion.
Ballon D’Oh! Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty in regulation was his 25th consecutive conversion. He, along with Kaka and Sergio Ramos, missed in the final shootout. He also missed a penalty for Manchester United in the 2008 Final, though John Terry’s slip covered his tracks.
Yellow Cards: Champions League yellow cards do not reset as they do in the World Cup. A combined seven starters from the two clubs will miss the final because of it.
Know Your English Stereotypes: Yesterday’s refrain was Barcelona not having a “Plan B,” or a big burly Englishman up front to play aerial balls to. Today’s will be German proficiency at penalty taking.
[Photo and Video via Mike the Intern]