This was a performance Jose Mourinho would have cherished. In the other half of Madrid, the former Real manager and current Chelsea boss was accused of encouraging anti-football strategies on Tuesday evening. Now, Carlo Ancelotti, a former Chelsea coach and current Real chief, masterminded a display of resilience, character and efficiency.

Real edged closer to "La Decima" through Karim Benzema's lone 18th minute effort. The bid to secure their 10th Champions Leagud triumph has become an obsession for Los Blancos, but in this blockbuster tie, they are in the ascendency.

For all their possession, 74% to 26%, Bayern failed to open up this stout Real side. Xabi Alonso was superb, organising and marshalling the Real resistance. Luka Modric excelled, assuming the role of composer to great effect. Iker Casillas, though not Ancelotti's first-choice goalkeeper in the La Liga, produced a sensational stop to deny Mario Götze late on.

Yet, there were occasional lapses of concentration. Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo, a doubt for this semi-final first-leg, squandered the opportunity to place one foot in Lisbon for the final on 24 May.

Pep Guardiola was left frustrated and exasperated on the touchline, not enjoying his return to Madrid to face familiar foes Real. However, his side started in vibrant fashion, hemming Real into their area and displaying wonderful desire to regain relinquished possession. Arjen Robben, returning to where he feels he was unceremoniously forced out, shot wide. The vocal visiting support chanted "Football's coming home". Bayern's possession was met with impatient jeers from the Santiago Bernabeu. What happened next was completely unexpected.

Ancelotti's game-plan to contain and then counter-attack was executed to perfection. Ronaldo sprung forward and threaded in Fabio Coentrao, who had darted in-behind Rafinha. The Portuguese full-back then delivered a beautifully-weighted pass across the box, from which Benzema guided home at the far post. Bayern were stunned, the bellows of "Football's coming home" extinguished by Benzema's composed finish.

The momentum was with Real. Ronaldo's header was thwarted by Neuer. Di Maria's strike was directed too close to the Germany international. Coentrao, who Rafinha could not cope with, sprinted forward and supplied Portugal colleague Ronaldo, who miscued horribly and uncharacteristically wide.

Bayern mounted sustained pressure but Real sprung forward again, Di Maria blasting over to the derision of many.

 At the interval, Real still led, despite Bayern's substantially superior possession, and could have added to their advantage shortly after the interval, Neuer forcing away Ronaldo's drive.

Bayern continued to probe and search for an opening but the hosts refused to settle for their slim lead, swarming forward as Neuer thwarted Ronaldo's powerful strike.

An exasperated Guardiola introduced Götze and Müller but all that ultimately resulted in their appearances was Casillas's magnificent stop to deny Götze and Bayern's vain penalty appeal for a perceived impediment on Müller.

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About the author
Ahmed Osoble
As a freelance football journalist, Ahmed writes news, opinion and match reports for VAVEL UK. An journalist, he is a columnist at GiveMeSport (member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy) and a writer for the Chelsea FC Blog, a fanzine dedicated to Chelsea Football Club. Blog - ahmedosoble.wordpress.com