Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund: Halftime score 0-0, goalkeepers putting on a show at Wembley
Both Manuel Neuer and Roman Weidenfeller are playing out of their minds as we’ve reached halftime of the Champions League final with no goals scored.
The first half of the Champions League final had a little bit of everything for soccer fans to enjoy. Entertaining open play, great shots, even better saves, but the one thing it didn’t have was goals. Both sides had their chances but thanks to outstanding work from both goalkeepers, it’s scoreless at the break.
After a nervy opening 10 minutes, things began to open up with Dortmund becoming the dominant side as the half moved along. The first real effort on goal came in the 10th minute when Dortmund finally were able to move into the attacking third and after Kevin Grosskreutz’s initial pass was blocked, he jumped back on the ball and unleashed a shot that curled well away from danger.
Robert Lewandowski had the first official shot on goal in the 13th minute, blasting an effort from 25 yards out that was pushed over the crossbar by Manuel Neuer. A minute later Neuer denied Jakub Blaszczykowski, blocking away a redirected cross from short range.
Marco Reus got free in the 19th minute, showing his speed and quickness on a counter attack out of nowhere, but his shot from just on the edge of the Bayern area was parried away by Neuer. Three minutes later Dortmund were back again as Grosskreutz chased down a deflected ball into the left corner and centered back to Sven Bender for a low shot toward the far post that Neuer was able to smother.
There was a potentially key moment in the 24th minute when Franck Ribery appeared to get away with an intentional elbow on Lewandowski's face. The referee either missed the call or interpreted the play differently, but either way only a foul was called though it very well could have been a red card.
Bayern finally awoke in the 26th minute when Mario Mandzukic's header from close range was kept out by a wonderful reaction save from Roman Weidenfeller. On the ensuring corner, Javi Martinez got free but his header spun over the bar into the top netting.
Arjen Robben caught Dortmund napping in the 30th minute, getting behind the defense and breaking in alone against Weidenfeller. Robben looked to have the space to round the goalkeeper but instead he tried to force the ball past Weidenfeller, who'd charged off his line to make the important save.
Lewandowski was again denied by Neuer in the 35th minute after making a ridiculous turn on Jerome Boateng and racing into the Bayern area. Neuer closed well and made a sliding save to again deny Dortmund an opening goal.
Robben was denied again three minutes before the break after bringing a long ball down in the box after a bit of a misplay by Mats Hummels. Always alert, Weidenfeller raced out and used his face to block Robben’s shot. The ultimate example of taking one for the team.
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