Bayern Munich led Real Madrid 1-0, and Real Madrid were down to ten men after Federico Valverde's red card. Leon watched from the VIP box, completely engrossed.
"What a start to this Champions League final! Bayern Munich lead, and Real Madrid are down to ten men! The referee's decision to send off Valverde has certainly riled up the Real Madrid fans here in Tokyo, who are still BOOING THE REFEREE every chance they get!"
The whistles and jeers from the Real Madrid faithful were indeed deafening, a constant background noise.
"They're not happy, are they?" Leon's mom commented, wincing slightly at the noise.
"Nah, they never are when things go against them," Byon chuckled. "But a red card in a final? That's rough."
Real Madrid, despite being a man down, showed their champion's mentality.
They started SWITCHING THE PLAY with incredible speed, moving the ball from one wing to the other, trying to stretch Bayern's defense.
Toni Kroos (Current: 89) and Luka Modrić (Current: 88) were masterminds in midfield.
"Real Madrid, even with ten men, are still trying to play their football! Kroos and Modrić are orchestrating everything, switching the play beautifully, trying to find gaps in this Bayern defense!"
Bayern, however, responded with a disciplined LOW BLOCK DEFENSE, sitting deep, denying Real Madrid space in central areas, and forcing them wide. They were content to let Real Madrid have possession, then hit them on the counter.
"Bayern's tactic is smart," Alex (Current: 81) observed, his eyes glued to the tactical movements. "They're making it really hard for Real Madrid to get through."
Real Madrid's coach, Carlo Ancelotti (Current: 91), was a picture of calm on the sidelines, his thoughts, Leon's 'sight' faintly picked up, were focused on 'maintaining defensive shape' and 'exploiting wide areas'.
Bayern's coach, Thomas Tuchel (Current: 90), was more animated, barking instructions, his thoughts on 'pressing triggers' and 'counter-attacking opportunities'.
Around the 38th minute, Real Madrid almost found an equalizer. Vinicius Jr. (Current: 88) received the ball on the left wing, and with a burst of speed, he dribbled past Bayern's right-back. He then whipped in a dangerous CROSS INTO THE BOX!
The ball soared towards Kylian Mbappé (Current: 91), who had made a darting run into the six-yard box. Mbappé leaped, connecting with a powerful header!
"Mbappé with the header! Oh, he struck the post! He struck the post! So close for Real Madrid!"
"NO WAY!" Byon yelled, slamming his hand on the armrest. "He hit the post! That was a certain goal!"
Leon's 'sight' had shown the 'ghosted head' projection, the ball hitting the inside of the post, bouncing out. The luck just wasn't with Real Madrid today.
Bayern immediately launched a counter-attack. Leroy Sané (Current: 87) sprinted down the wing, his 'Pace' attribute glowing. He drove into the box, but Real Madrid's Éder Militão (Current: 87) made a LAST-DITCH TACKLE, sliding in perfectly to block the shot and send it out for a corner.
"Brilliant defending from Militão! A last-ditch tackle to deny Sané! That could have been 2-0!"
The first half ended 1-0 to Bayern Munich. Real Madrid were down to ten men, and frustrated.
The second half began with Real Madrid showing renewed determination, despite being a man down. Their 'Current' ratings pulsed with a desperate hunger for an equalizer.
They adopted a HIGH PRESS, pushing their remaining players forward, trying to win the ball back high up the pitch.
Bayern, however, were disciplined. They continued with their LOW BLOCK DEFENSE, absorbing the pressure, then launching quick counter-attacks.
Around the 50th minute, Bayern almost extended their lead. A cross came into the box, and Robert Lewandowski (Current: 89) connected with an ACROBATIC VOLLEY!
"Lewandowski with the acrobatic volley! Oh, what a save from Courtois! He pushes it over the bar!"
"Wow!" Alex whispered, wide-eyed. "That was amazing!"
Leon's 'sight' showed Courtois's 'Current: 89' radiating pure agility and quick reflexes. He was keeping Real Madrid in the game.
Real Madrid continued to push. Vinicius Jr. (Current: 88) received the ball on the wing, dribbled past two Bayern defenders, and unleashed a powerful shot! But his shot was BLOCKED by a desperate Dayot Upamecano (Current: 87).
The game was a relentless back-and-forth. Leon's 'sight' was constantly processing information, predicting outcomes. He saw the 'ghosted passes' of Kroos and Modrić, their attempts to unlock Bayern's defense. He saw the 'ghosted runs' of Mbappé, his frustration growing as he found himself constantly marked.
Around the 65th minute, Real Madrid had another golden chance. A scramble in the box after a corner. The ball bounced around, a chaotic SCRAMBLE IN THE BOX! Karim Adeyemi (Potential: 88, Current: 84) for Bayern, trying to clear, accidentally headed the ball towards his own goal!
"Oh, a scramble in the box! And Adeyemi heads it towards his own goal! It's an OWN GOAL! It's an own goal for Bayern Munich! Real Madrid have equalized!"
The Real Madrid fans erupted! The stadium was a cacophony of cheers. Leon's mom clapped, laughing. "Oh, dear! That was unlucky for Bayern!"
Byon (Current: 85) was jumping up and down. "YES! An own goal! That's how you do it! Never give up!"
But the celebrations were short-lived. The referee was pointing to his ear. VAR REVIEW!
"Hold on! The referee is checking VAR! There might have been a foul in the build-up! Or an offside!"
The replays showed a Real Madrid player, Rodrygo (Current: 86), was in an offside position in the build-up, interfering with play.
After a tense minute, the referee signaled. DISALLOWED GOAL!
The Real Madrid fans erupted in furious boos. The Bayern fans cheered wildly. Leon sighed. It was the right decision, but still frustrating for Real Madrid.
The clock ticked past the 70-minute mark. Bayern Munich still led Real Madrid 1-0. Real Madrid were still down to ten men.