Anelka looks Real deal at last

Bayern, meanwhile, were left contemplating another nightmare in Spain following their fabled 2-1 defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory at the hands of Manchester United in last year’s final in Barcelona.

Now only a tour de force from Bayern in the Munich rematch can prevent Real joining the winners of the Valencia-Barcelona tie in the Paris final on May 24 with Valencia leading 4-1 going into the second leg of that all-Spanish semi.

Real coach Vicente del Bosque began the match with a three-pronged attack with Anelka joining Spanish international duo Raul and Fernando Morientes up front – Morientes was a surprise inclusion as Real had said 24 hours earlier that he could not play because of a toe injury.

It was the latest manifestation of the newfound confidence at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium since the 3-2 win over United in the quarter-final – a result Del Bosque described afterwards as the best of his career. Real’s gamble to attack from the outset paid a handsome dividend when they took the lead in the fourth minute through Anelka, who, despite a hint of offside, took a neat ball through the inside left channel from Raul to advance into the box and lift a right-footed shot past Oliver Kahn into the net.

Typically, the 21-year-old, whose immense talent is matched only by his ability to cause controversy, added a sour note with his celebration when he ran towards the cameramen and blatantly brandished an armband with a sponsor’s name at the lens – an act that European governing body UEFA may yet see fit to sanction.

Real seemed to be making a conscious effort to give 37-million dollar signing Anelka the space he thrives on and he chose the perfect moment to score his first goal of the tournament – club president Lorenzo Sanz had predicted earlier that “tonight Anelka is going to do something special.”

Bayern had their first chance on 16 minutes when Brazilian Giovane Elber, partnering Paulo Sergio in an all-Brazilian attack, turned smartly to drive straight at Real’s teenage keeper Iker Casillas. Two minutes later Anelka, dubbed "Anelkaiser" by Wednesday’s Spanish press, almost set up Morientes but his low cross was deflected away for a corner which came to nothing.

Bayern were struggling to hold their back line together and had a let off after 21 minutes when Englishman Steve McManaman and Raul set up Morientes for a close range finish which was ruled out for offside.

Real’s Aitor Karanka was booked by Swedish referee Anders Frisk on the half hour for bringing down Paulo Sergio, meaning the Spaniard will miss the return match in Munich next week. But 2-0 after 33 minutes, though Bayern had a slice of bad luck as international midfielder Jeremies, in trying to cut out a Raul pass into the box intended for Michel Salgado, could only turn the ball past the spreadeagled Kahn.

Bayern attempted to respond and Michael Tarnat sent a long-range effort flashing just wide of Casillas’ left hand post. Casillas then blocked a Paulo Sergio effort with his legs. But McManaman – prominent throughout the first period – was unlucky not to win a penalty when Thomas Linke appeared to impede him after he had caught the Bayern player napping in possession in the penalty area.

In the second period Salgado picked up a caution that will also rule him out of the second leg. The second half was a more cagy affair but Bayern’s efforts to get a vital away goal were tame and Real still looked the more likely winners.