The Santiago Bernabeu witnessed an excellent game last night as two of Europe’s giants went head to head in the Champions League. Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich 3 - 2. Bayern may have lost the game but Otto Hitzfeld, who has only recently returned to Bayern as head coach, will be more than happy with two away goals, or at least he should be. His opposite number, Fabio Capello, probably won’t be as happy.
It was reported before the game that Capello had actually already submitted his resignation to the real Board but he was on the bench and in charge for the game. But I wonder for how much longer. Real are lying in 4th in La Liga. That’s a position the Madrid side aren’t used to and to make it worse, it’s their arch rivals, Barcelona who not only continue to sit at the top but are the current European Champions. Bayern also lie in 4th position in their league, Bundesliga, again a position they are not used to and which is why Hitzfeld has been brought back to the club.
Despite all the internal rumours and unrest at the Bernabeu at the moment Real did not look like a side in trouble during a pulsating first half which produced four goals, two from Raul, the competitions all time record goal scorer. Lucio, the Bayern defender, had drawn Bayern level at 1 - 1 though before Raul got his second. Ruud van Nistelrooy then scored to appear to make the tie safe and Real were cruising. However Van Bommel, the Dutch international, scored late on for the German side which gives them real hope for the second leg back in Munich.
It’s a difficult one to call. However if Capello is still sat on the Real bench in Munich, should they lose and get knocked out of the Champions League, I don’t think he’ll need to submit a letter of resignation, the Board will be doing it for him.
The Soccer Blogger