Image Credits: Imago Images
Bayern Munich produced a dominant display to stun Real Madrid and Trent Alexander-Arnold 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
Vincent Kompany’s side were impressive from the first whistle, deploying a high press that suffocated Los Blancos and left the 15-time European champions scrambling for answers on home soil.
Former Liverpool man Luis Diaz broke the deadlock in the 41st minute with a finish that was as clinical as it was poetic. Serge Gnabry played a slick one-two with Harry Kane before threading a perfectly weighted ball in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the ex-Reds right-back caught flat-footed and unable to recover as his ex-Anfield teammate swept the ball past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
Bayern’s lead was doubled barely 25 seconds into the second half, with Kane curling an inch-perfect effort from the edge of the area to make it 2-0.
Real Madrid were not done, however. Alexander-Arnold did find a moment of redemption, marauding forward and whipping in a glorious low cross to the far post – an assist only he could produce – which Kylian Mbappe hammered home in the 74th minute to give the hosts a lifeline heading into the second leg.
Speaking to BeIn Sports after the game, the former Liverpool man opened up on how he felt about the game:
“First-half wasn’t the greatest from us. Our aim is to win this competition, we intend to go over there, win, and go through to the next round.”
“When the game opened up in the second half, made changes, we were able to get back in the game. So we need to take the positives, learn from the negatives, and go there next week with the aim of winning the competition.”
Alexander-Arnold has had a bit of a stop-start season with injuries so far, but has been more consistent in his fitness since the turn of the year:
“I’m feeling better game by game, fitness is certainly there. It’s about maintaining that and staying fit while helping the team win games anyway I can. I helped contribute with an assist, but it’s also about doing what’s best for the team.”
Tuesday’s result leaves Real Madrid with a mountain to climb in Munich next week, though if history has taught us anything, it is that the Bernabeu’s favourite sons are never truly out of a European tie.
Meanwhile, Liverpool kick-off their own quarter-final bout vs PSG this Wednesday evening, with three Reds players running the risk of suspension ahead of the clash.
🗣️ “First half wasn’t the greatest from us. Our aim is to win this competition, we intend to go over there, win, and go through to the next round.”@TrentAA speaks to @adriandelmonte after Real Madrid’s 2-1 first leg defeat at home to Bayern Munich.#beINUCL #RealMadrid #UCL pic.twitter.com/cySiwk4Smv
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) April 7, 2026
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
