The fixture hailed by the Spanish press as ‘El Clásico Europeo’ certainly did not fail to live up to the billing; with the 2-2 match at the Allianz Arena easily amongst the classics.

Bayern Munich came out of the gates brilliantly, making a good account of themselves in the early stages with several opportunities to open the scoring. But it would be the inevitable force of Real Madrid to strike first against the run of play through Vinicius Jr’s calm finish.

Following the break, Leroy Sané finally got Bayern’s goal, wrapping it into the bottom corner. Thomas Tuchel’s side continued to work hard, receiving a penalty as Lucas Vazquez lazily left a trailing leg out; catching Jamal Musiala, Harry Kane dispatched the spot kick with a stuttered run up.

But just when it looked as though Bayern Munich would be headed to Spain’s capital with a 2-1 advantage; Kim Min-Jae hauled down winger Rodrygo in the box. Vinicius Jr being the man trusted to step forward did just as Kane managed: tucking home from 12 yards.

With the absence of the away goals rule, it will be as you were in Madrid, with both sides having a clean slate to seek the Champions League Final in London.

  • Story of the match

Matthijs de Ligt, who was taken off at the halfway point of Bayern’s win over Frankfurt, missed out due to a knee ligament injury, being replaced by Kim Min-Jae. Thomas Tuchel also opted for eventual goalscorer Leroy Sané in place of  Raphaël Guerreiro and veteran midfielder Thomas Muller over Eric Maxim Choupo Moiting. 

Aurélien Tchouaméni was the only man to survive in the side from Friday night’s win over Real Sociedad, with Carlo Ancelotti opting for nearly a total refresh in anticipation of his side’s trip to Germany. 

Despite struggling on the domestic front this season, Bayern Munich have looked as sharp as ever in Europe, this theme would not deviate as they were the side to come out the most interested, creating a number of moments that could well have seen them take a hold on the tie.

Leroy Sané was played in down the right in the opening minutes but he failed to sweep home. It was not too surprising that the winger had failed to score since late October; after snatching at an early opportunity.

Tuesday night’s match certainly shared parallels with the sides' last meeting in 2018 as in spite of Bayern’s constant early pressure, Real Madrid would prove the more clinical, Vinicius Jr latched onto Toni Kroos’ ambitious pass and sped past Kim Min-Jae before calmly placing it into the bottom right corner.

Real held their lead but grew into the first half even still; Rodrygo troubled an off-guard Noussair Mazraoui and won a free kick on the edge of the Bayern area.

Bayern regain control

Thomas Tuchel’s side came into the second period looking to be more effective in the final third, they began looking to work around the box, utilising Musiala rather than throwing away chances with frantic efforts. 

Leroy Sane made better of another chance early on, weaving around Real Madrid’s defence before drilling the ball into the near post; Andriy Lunin could really have done better to keep the shot out but Bayern Munich happily took it, getting themselves back on level terms.

The confidence provided by the goal fueled further Bavarian pressure, as makeshift right-back Vazquez caught Musiala in the penalty area, handing Harry Kane a chance from the spot, making no mistake in giving his side a valuable 2-1 lead. 

The hosts retained hold of the ball into the later stages of the game; hoping to take a one-goal lead into the second ninety minutes back in Madrid, but as had already been proven; Ancelotti’s men only needed a moment.

Stand-in, Kim Min-Jae brought down the turning Rodrygo in the area, leaving Clement Turpin with no option but to award Real Madrid a penalty of their own. The 14-time winners happily took up the offering, with Vinicius Jr thundering past Manuel Neuer, Madrid's man for the big occasion again.

The closing stages of the match were played out with few talking points, both sides happy to settle with a draw, not wanting to risk leaking a goal and potentially chasing the tie in Spain.

Player of the match - Jamal Musiala

The German international was not a certainty for Tuesday night, not being able to play a part in Bayern’s last two matches with a knock; but he proved to be the difference maker for Die Roten, providing Tuchel something different while they struggled to string passes together in the final third before the break.

The 21-year-old is incredibly taking part in a fourth Champions League campaign for the German outfit and looking to win it for the first time, missing out on a winners medal for Bayern’s triumph in 2020.