In the 2023-2024 season's semifinals, the first leg in Germany ended 2-2. In the second leg at Bernabeu, Bayern took the lead with Alphonso Davies' opening goal in the 68th minute. However, in the 88th minute, the German team paid a heavy price for Neuer's error. The goalkeeper fumbled the ball, allowing Joselu to equalize. Three minutes later, Joselu scored again, completing a surprising comeback. Real advanced to the final and won their 15th title.

In the 2011-2012 season's semifinals, Bayern won the first leg 2-1, but lost the second leg 1-2. In the penalty shootout, Neuer saved the first two shots from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, helping the German team win 3-1. Bayern advanced to the final, then lost to Chelsea 3-4 in another penalty shootout.

The 2013-2014 season's semifinals saw Real successfully exact revenge against Neuer. In the first leg, Karim Benzema scored, securing a 1-0 victory for the Spanish team at their home ground, Bernabeu. In the second leg at Allianz Arena, Real convincingly won 4-0, with two headers from Sergio Ramos and two shots from Ronaldo, including a free-kick that pierced the wall. The Madrid giants overcame the defending champions to claim their tenth title.

During the 2016-2017 season's quarterfinals, Neuer made 10 crucial saves in the first leg in Germany, but could not prevent Real from winning 2-1 with a brace from Ronaldo. In the 90 minutes of the second leg, Bayern surprisingly won 2-1 despite another goal from Ronaldo. Neuer and his teammates faced difficulties when Arturo Vidal received a second yellow card in the 84th minute. In extra time, Ronaldo scored two more goals, and Marco Asensio sealed a 6-3 aggregate victory for Real. "We prepared everything for this match, except the referee," said Carlo Ancelotti, Bayern's coach at the time. That season, Real secured their 12th title.

In this season's quarterfinal first leg, Neuer neutralized 9 of Real's chances, playing a key role in the 2-1 victory at Bernabeu. After the match, UEFA selected the 40-year-old goalkeeper as the best player.

Across the 9 matches he has played against Real, Neuer has conceded 19 goals. Of these, 9 goals were scored by Ronaldo. Sergio Ramos, Joselu, and Vinicius each scored two goals, while Mesut Ozil, Benzema, Asensio, and Mbappe each scored one goal.

Ngoc Tuan

Photos: Reuters, CLB, UEFA