The Sports Thread #1 For 4/23/14: 2013-14 UEFA Champions League Semifinals, Leg 1 - Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich (First Version)

Halftime Thread, Real Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich 

It was total Bayern domination at the beginning, but the minute Rafinha was caught on a counter, it was the fear that Pep Guardiola sent himself up for by putting him there. Now Philip Lahm can also find himself strayed too froward, but in this instance, it was all the Brazilian right back as Boateng and Dante couldn't recover for the gap that needed to be filled. 

Benzema just couldn't miss from there and set up Ronaldo on a platter for the second, only for the Portuguese to waste his chance. 

Benzema, for a player who doesn't track back, had the key track back moment of the half that lead to his goal and was firmly rewarded. Wonderful indeed it was from him to show his all around world class when he is at his top level. 

Alaba was exposed defensively again as well, as Benzema made the run and he lost him there while he would have been at fault had Di Maria either scored or passed back to a wide open Benzema. 

Either way, despite two timely blocks (Pepe, Alonso) and one headed clearance (Coentrao) that Madrid had to deal with, Carlo Ancelotti's side had the better chances. More has to come from both Mario Mandzukic and Arjen Robben in the second half.    

Pregame Thread

Will be back for halftime and full time analysis. Think this one ends not like yesterday as everyone assumes, and I say 2-1 Bayern with Mandzukic in the lineup. They are risking it with Rafinha at RB though.