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Bayern Munich 'not without a chance' against Real Madrid says Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

 

Pa
Wednesday 18 April 2012 13:47 BST
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Mario Gomez pokes in Bayern's winner
Mario Gomez pokes in Bayern's winner (AP)

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge fancies his side's chances of reaching the Champions League final after Mario Gomez's 90th-minute goal gave them a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-four tie at the Allianz Arena.

The Germany striker slid home a 90th-minute winner from Philipp Lahm's low cross to give Bayern a narrow advantage heading into next week's second leg.

Madrid had looked like coming away with a draw after Mesut Ozil cancelled out Franck Ribery's early opener.

"It was an emotion-laden match," Rummenigge said on the club's official website.

"Real showed just what a good team they are. They played very well at the start, but they were a little shocked by our goal. What they have up front with (Karim) Benzema, Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo is really first class.

"At the end we had the luck on our side and we've won 2-1. We can be proud of the victory. We're not without a chance in Madrid."

Bayern's players were also bullish about their chances of going through, although Gomez sounded a note of caution by admitting 2-1 was a "dangerous" result.

"It's always positive when you win in the last minute," Gomez said.

"You don't play down having Real as the opposition. Apart from the early minutes of the first and second half, we've done very well. We're angry about conceding a goal.

"Mourinho has made a team out of a group of individuals at Real, but they didn't show it last night, which is to our credit. A 2-1 win is a dangerous result, but we're always good for a goal with the strength we have up front."

Lahm added: "The second goal was vital. Madrid will have to come at us now, and that obviously plays to our strengths. We can afford to sit back a little."

Bayern largely nullified the threat of Ronaldo last night and will be looking for a repeat performance in next week's second leg in the Spanish capital.

Thomas Muller said: "Madrid are dangerous. It was a Champions League semi-final, so there are no bad teams.

"But as everyone saw, we gritted our teeth and we wanted a result. It's terrific we scored at the end. It means we have every chance."

Arjen Robben added: "A huge compliment to the team. We made it very difficult for Madrid and we created a few chances.

"It's a shame we let in a goal, but it's still a positive result. We were in the ascendancy at times. We obviously have to watch ourselves, because Real have so much quality in attack, as we saw when they scored. But I'm confident we'll make it."

PA

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