Courageous FCB in good shape for return

The prospect of contesting the Champions League final at their home Allianz Arena on 19 May remains alive and tangible for Bayern after what Karl-Heinz Rummenigge described as an “emotional" and Jupp Heynckes said was a “passionate" 2–1 home win in Tuesday's semi-final first leg against Real Madrid. “We wanted to win at home, and we've succeeded. We've put ourselves in a good position," said Philipp Lahm. “It was a huge game between two evenly matched sides,” the Munich skipper continued, “we have a chance of making the final at our own stadium. Every one of us wants that." Director of sport Christian Nerlinger sounded a note of caution: “We’re only at half distance. It'll be another fierce fight, but we're looking forward to it. We're in a very good position." The boisterous and euphoric 66,000 crowd at the Allianz Arena roared FCB on to a deserved victory, thanks to a top-notch performance and an unbending desire to win. “I believed we could do it right to the end," declared striker Mario Gomez, whose winning goal in the last minute sealed the Reds ninth Champions League home success against Real in ten meetings. “We mustn't just dream, we have to invest a great deal, and then we can make the final," he continued. Boss Heynckes was beaming after the deserved victory over the Spanish league leaders, who fell to their first defeat in the Champions League this season. “That was very hard work," said the FCB coach, “but my players gave me what I demanded: passion, desire, and hunger for success. All credit to the team. It was a very good performance, with excellent football, hard running and plenty of fight."