Pep lauds Madrid's 'athletes'

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos jumps to block a pass from Bayern Munich's Frank Ribery as Pepe watches during their Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, April 23, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Bayern boss full of praise for foe following sluggish first-leg loss

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola said his side struggled to contain Real Madrid's pace on the counter attack as Los Blancos secured a 1-0 advantage from the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Wednesday.

Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game in the 19th minute off one of a series of Madrid counter attacks that caught the European champion wanting on defense.

"Madrid has athletes. They are footballers, but they are real athletes," said the former Barcelona boss after suffering his first defeat in eight games as a coach at Santiago Bernabeu.

"It is easy to say we need to play more vertically, but the quicker we move the ball forward, the quicker it comes back - and that can be very dangerous for us."

Bayern enjoyed 63 percent of the possession, but failed to create many good opportunities as Madrid defended in numbers.

Guardiola expects more of the same when his side tries to turn the tie around on home soil at Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

"I think the next game will be exactly the same. We need to control their counter attacks, but it is a question of finding the right balance.

"Madrid is a complete team, and it is true that not scoring away from home makes the tie very difficult.

"However, we will be at home, with our fans behind us, and we will give everything to reach the final."

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted he didn't like having to relinquish control of the ball for large spells to the Germans.

However, just as in Madrid's Copa del Rey victory over Barcelona last week, the Italian said his side played to its strengths.

"I don't like to give up the ball. It is clear that you cannot control the ball for the whole game, but especially against Barca and Bayern it is very difficult to control it," said Ancelotti.

"Football, though, is not just about possession, but defending, counter attacks ... and many other things.

"What we had tonight was the sacrifice of the players, but I don't like not having the ball because you have less chance to score."

Ancelotti recalled World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo to his starting lineup after four games out because of injury.

The Portuguese was involved in the lead up to the goal and had another glaring opportunity to make it 2-0 before being replaced by Gareth Bale with 20 minutes remaining.

Ancelotti said Ronaldo's withdrawal had been a pre-meditated measure to ensure he didn't run the risk of aggravating the injury, but the coach expects both he and Bale - who was ill with the flu before the game - to be 100 percent fit for the return leg.

"It was a decision that we took before the game because the only risk with Cristiano would come once the muscle got tired," said Ancelotti.

"It is normal that after 20 days he is not 100 percent, but he sacrificed himself for the team and both Cristiano and Bale will be in perfect condition for Tuesday."

(China Daily 04/25/2014 page23)