My thoughts on the two legs.
I think that we were mentally prepared for Bayern to adapt to a similar play style that we're so used to against Barca, and we subsequently adapted to that by keeping a low defensive line with fast counters. Real Madrid preys on fast counters, and with Ronaldo, Bale, Di Maria, Benzema and what have you, the slow possession football we faced fits our style perfectly. It's taken a while for the team to find balance versus that kind of play, as we lost both legs to Barca in the league, but as the season's progressed, Ancelotti has masterfully deployed that fast strategic system versus that kind of play.
Also, the difference between the two I think was the hunger. We haven't won the Champion's League in 12 years, and since we're essentially not going to win the league, la decima is the one thing that has been on our minds lately. There is nothing we want to win more than that, and the difference between then and now is that we have the perfect set up of players that let us play the kind of football that we love to play, spearheaded by the strategic genius that is Carlo Ancelotti.
Bayern's very much in a transition stage, where they're still adapting and trying to find their rhythm under Pep. I think the possession football that Pep brought with him works great when it works, but has a tendency to stagnate when it doesn't, which we saw over the two legs. It doesn't empathize on the defence, but is dependent on the middle and upper parts of the field, leaving the back vulnerable for counters. We've seen this multiple times this season from teams, not only against Bayern, but also against Barca. I think it has become a victim of its own success in a way after its domination in football these last few years, and it needs to be refined. A hybrid of both, I think would be absolutely lethal.
As a Madrid fan, I'm obviously very happy that we're in the final. We've choked in Europe so many years, especially versus German teams who have thrown us out year after year, so to win over them this year and reach the final is wonderful. I'm very happy with my team this year, and I look forward to play either Chelsea or Atletico this final, although if I could choose, I'd rather meet Atletico, simply because they're the team to beat this season.
Anyway, thanks Bayern-GAF. You have a fantastic fan base and a great team, and I have absolutely no doubt that you'll come back crushing it next season. I think some lessons have been learned.
