Champions League: This is why I left Tottenham, says Bale after Real storm to Euro final
BAYERN MUNICH 0 REAL MADRID 4
(Real Madrid win 5-0 on aggregate)
REAL Madrid’s £86m signing Gareth Bale said reaching the Champions League final justifies his world record transfer from Tottenham last summer.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg, Real blitzed Bayern with two goals apiece from Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose tally of 16 goals is the most anyone has scored in a single Champions League campaign.
Ronaldo can add to that tally when Real attempt to win a 10th Champions League crown in Lisbon, while Bale believes the chance to win his second trophy, having lifted the Copa del Rey this month, shows why leaving White Hart Lane was the right choice.
“This is why I came to the biggest club in the world, to win trophies and play in massive games,” said Bale, who has hit 20 goals in his debut season. “We haven’t won it yet, we know it is going to be a difficult final whoever we play, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Real’s intention was to soak up anticipated Bayern pressure and exploit the holders on the counter attack in order to reach their first European final since 2002.
Yet the tie was virtually settled in the first 20 minutes from two set-pieces and two fine headers from defender Ramos.
On 16 minutes, the Spain star powered in Luka Modric’s outswinging corner at the far post. Then four minutes later met Angel Di Maria’s free-kick, after a flick-on from Pepe, to stun the home crowd.
Bayern were shell-shocked and Real added a sensational third before half-time.
In a swift counter attack which started deep inside Real’s half, Di Maria played the ball wide to Karim Benzema, whose reverse pass set Bale storming through the middle and, as goalkeeper Manuel Neuer advanced, the Welshman squared for Ronaldo to sweep in.
After half-time Bayern huffed and puffed, but rarely troubled Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Franck Ribery forced a save from the Spain keeper low down at his near post and Casillas was forced to beat away a stinging effort from Toni Kroos.
But, in the final minute, Ronaldo placed a free-kick under Bayern’s defensive wall to complete the rout.