Clash of Former Titans

The first leg two weeks ago was a bit like a battle between Bruce Springsteen and Prince: the Bavarians who used to be boss against the artists formerly known as the Galacticos. Languishing in fourth place in their respective national leagues, both Bayern and Real were looking to restore some pride in Tuesday's match at Bernabeu. And both teams got some of what they wanted.

Real showed they meant business from the opening whistle and had their home fans cheering in the 10th minute, when Raul muscled his way past a furiously sliding Bayern keeper Oliver Kahn in the box. The veteran striker slotted home to put the hosts up 1-0.

Munich had trouble putting together combinations, but thanks to a set piece they got the equalizer thirteen minutes later. Bayern oldie-but-goodie Willy Sagnol blasted a free kick from around 40 meters out, and defender Lucio headed beyond reach Real keeper Iker Casillas.

Last Hurrahs before Hollywood

The rest of the first half was all Madrid. Surprisingly the main motor of their impressive run was much-maligned midfielder David Beckham, who is headed for Los Angeles in the summer and who had recently been left out of the squad.

Beckham was clearly out to prove he's not washed up. In the 28th minute, he fired a corner across the mouth of the goal. Defender Ivan Helguera headed the ball into the upper right corner, brushing Raul's hair in the process. Real were back in the lead.

Six minutes later, Beckham pushed the ball forward, where it eventually found a criminally unmarked Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman fired home from five meters to give Madrid a 3-1 advantage.

Real's first half showed a return to the fluid attacking style that gained them the Champions League title in 2002. Meanwhile Bayern were plagued by the midfield sluggishness and defensive lapses that have characterized their mediocre season.

A Familiar Face Comes Up Big

The match could have turned into a debacle for Munich in the second half, were it not for a sterling play by their 37-year-old keeper. Beckham curled a lethal-looking free kick toward the upper-left-hand corner of goal, but Kahn acrobatically parried it to keep the visitors in the game.

After that, Real curiously chose to pack it in at the back -- never a Madrid strong point even in the club's best years.

For half an hour, it looked as though Real might be able to hold their two-goal advantage. Bayern's lack of true playmaker was all too apparent as they seldom created open shots on goal.

But in 79th minute, substitute Bayern striker Claudio Pizarro was narrowly denied by Casillas from 10 meters. Two minutes from time, midfielder Mark van Bommel drop-kicked a short Real clearance into the back of the net for the final 3-2 scoreline.

Glass half-full or half-empty?

The result was a bit of balsam for the wounded pride of these two former titans. Speaking after the match, Kahn said "This is one of those losses that feels like a victory."

Indeed, both sides played to a higher standard than their critics thought them capable of, treating fans to one of the better matches of this Champions League season.

But the game also showed that Bayern -- despite van Bommel's late goal -- still need a creative director in midfield. And Real's late weakness suggested that the squad is perhaps too old to pile on pressure over 90 minutes. Plus, Beckham is out with injury for the return match.

That sets the stage for a tough battle when the two teams play their return leg in Munich on March 7. A 1-0 win for Bayern would be enough to send them through to the tournament's next round and force Real to question why they failed to seal this encounter when they had the chance.

Whichever team comes up short in Munich will be in for some harsh scrutiny from media and fans. Real and Bayern are accustomed to silverware. With their domestic campaigns having faltered, the Champions League is the last realistic chance at a title for both clubs.