Berlin – There won’t be a “German final” at Wembley after all. FC Bayern Munich had to admit defeat at Real Madrid with two late goals from Joselu. Here are the international press comments on Bayern’s elimination:
Spain
“Marca”: “Real Madrid doesn’t allow rivals. It has been said for two weeks that Bayern are the closest to Real Madrid, and when it mattered most, the proud Bayern fell to their knees like everyone else when they saw themselves in the final.”
“El País”: “Yes, it is. Real Madrid again. Again the dead man rising amidst the collective delirium of the Bernabéu. Madrid found themselves trailing on the scoreboard after a dominant game while Bayern, the old European hierarchy, the legendary beast of the competition, slept the night away. It didn’t matter that Tuchel was on the bench, having already played in a similar game with Chelsea two years ago. The magical fate of Madrid is inevitable, even if you see it coming, even if you know it.”
“El Mundo”: “Hail, Caesar of Europe: Madrid brings the rule of faith to Wembley. The Madrilenians never think about death, not even with both feet on the scaffold, like against Bayern, because their only memento mori is victory.”
“ABC”: “After a first leg in which the Madrilenians strangely lacked respect for their favorite competition for a few minutes, Ancelotti’s players put on their Sunday shirts at the Bernabéu and are now going into the final in London looking good and perfumed, as they should .”
Great Britain
“The Sun”: “It’s a disaster. Fans claim the Champions League is rigged after Real Madrid vs Bayern ends in huge controversy as the Germans are denied a goal.”
“Daily Mail”: “Bayern anger at the referees. Thomas Tuchel is angry at the “absolute disaster” of the decision that denied Bayern Munich a late equalizer against Real Madrid in a dramatic Champions League defeat and blames two referees.”
“The Mirror”: “Harry’s heart is broken. Real Madrid make it to yet another Champions League final as former Stoke star Joselu scores a late double to give Bellingham a reunion with Dortmund.”
“The Guardian”: “Simply ridiculous. Simply Real Madrid. The team that seems to own this competition, that has a magical power over this trophy that they just won’t give up, is back in the final because of course it is.”
Austria
“Kronen-Zeitung”: “Wrong offside whistle sends Bayern into a rage.”
“Kurier”: “Late goals have always been FC Bayern’s specialty. In the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, the German record champions experienced a finish that must have seemed Spanish to Bayern.”
Switzerland
“Blick”: “Referee bonus for Real Madrid? “Scandal scene” makes Bayern rage.”
Italy
“Gazzetta dello Sport”: “Real never dies! Turnaround in the 91st minute and they head to Wembley. Bayern anger at the referees. The usual Real Madrid. The usual European nights from Ancelotti’s teams.”
“Tuttosport”: “Joselu, the king for one night: Real with another incredible comeback and Ancelotti in the final. Los Blancos overturned the result against Bayern in the final minutes, winning 2-1 thanks to a late brace from the Spanish striker. “Real Madrid doesn’t give up.”
“La Repubblica”: “The mystique of the Bernabeu can do anything, even a 34-year-old striker, who was loaned for a million (and the transfer costs one and a half, mind you) from a relegation-threatened club, Espanyol, to fill a small part of the huge hole to fill the gap left behind by Benzema’s departure to Arabia.
France
“Le Equipe”: “The immortal Real.”
“Le Parisien”: “Joselu makes the Madrilenians immortal and secures them a ticket to Wembley. Initially surprised by Bayern, Real Madrid scored two goals in the final phase and secured their place in the final of the Champions League.”
Netherlands
“De Telegraaf”: “Madrid completely turns the game around in three minutes. Real Madrid moves into the Champions League final after a crazy final against Bayern. The Champions League will not have a “German” final after all. Until the 88th minute, Bayern had a chance of a place in the final, but then Joselu came along.”