Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich (Picture: Getty)
Steve McManaman pointed the finger at a ‘flat-footed’ Manuel Neuer for failing to ‘come out strong’ after Vinicius Junior opened the scoring in Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final with Bayern Munich.
Hosts Bayern dominated possession in the opening stages of the first leg and Leroy Sane blazed an early opportunity over the bar before England captain Harry Kane missed the target with a speculative effort from range.
But the visitors soaked up the pressure and drew first blood as Toni Kroos split Bayern’s defence with a sublime through ball to find Vinicius, who made no mistake to score his 20th goal of the season.
Remarkably, Vinicius Junior’s strike in the 24th minute means the Brazilian has netted in the Champions League semi-finals in three consecutive seasons and McManaman was full of praise for the forward’s run and finish.
However, the former Real Madrid, Liverpool and England winger, providing co-commentary for TNT Sports, felt Bayern goalkeeper Neuer was largely at fault, with the Germany international rooted to the spot as Kroos found Vinicius Junior.
‘I’d question the goalkeeper. Toni Kroos, space galore! The goalie comes then stops. Does he commit, should he commit?’ McManaman said.
‘This was beautiful, though. What a ball through the line from Toni Kroos and Vinicius Junior is onto it.
Neuer was ‘flat-footed’, according to ex-Real Madrid star McManaman (Picture: Getty)
‘Neuer is flat-footed and Vinicius opened the body up and rolled it past the goalkeeper.
‘He was already preparing himself, Vinicius Junior, how he shapes his body.
‘I thought Neuer should have come and come out strong, right out to his [Vinicius Junior’s] feet.’
Vinicius has scored in the semi-finals in the last three seasons (Picture: Getty)
McManaman said the home team would have to be ‘careful’ after being exposed at the back for Vinicius’ goal.
‘Real Madrid are dangerous like that. Once they go, you can’t stop them,’ he added.
‘That ball over the top, Real Madrid are two on one. Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham on Kim Min-jae.
‘That’s why they have to be careful, Bayern. Yes, they want to get back into the game, but they can’t leave themselves open at the back.’
Owen and McManaman pointed the finger at Neuer after Vinicius Junior’ strike (Picture: Getty)
Ex-Real Madrid and England striker Michael Owen was critical of Neuer at the half-time break and also questioned Kim’s decision to rush out ‘at a rate of knots’ for Vinicius Junior’s goal.
‘It was a typical Real Madrid performance, wasn’t it? Bayern Munich had the best of it for the first 20 minutes or so and then bang, they get caught sleeping, make a mistake and all of a sudden they’re 1-0 behind,’ Owen said in the TNT Sports studio.
‘There was a couple of things. The goalkeeper starts way too deep. Neuer is normally a player that likes patrolling behind there.
‘But really it’s Kim who just comes in at a rate of knots. I don’t know what he’s doing there.’
Glenn Hoddle added: ‘Kim has come in too quick and he gets himself square.
‘There is no pressure on the ball, that’s the key to it.
‘Kroos has got his head up and if the goalkeeper is on the penalty spot then he comes out and gets it.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.