Last-minute Bayern stun United
... in reverse of '99:
Jerome Rasetti
Bayern Munich stunned Manchester United 2-1 in their Champions League
quarter-final first leg Tuesday, with an injury-time goal by Ivica Olic
evoking memories of their famous clash in 1999.
The match was eagerly anticipated as a re-run of the famous thrilling
Champions League final in 1999 when two dramatic goals right at the end
of the game took the trophy to Old Trafford in a devastating blow to the
Germans.
This time round, United struck right at the beginning of the match,
with England striker Wayne Rooney latching on to a deflected free-kick
and smashing home a close-range volley for his 34th goal of the season
with only 66 seconds played.
Bayern were left to rue a golden opportunity half way through the
first period as Olic somehow missed from about a yard out completely
unmarked in front of goal.
Rooney missed a gilt-edged chance of his own in front of goal before
the end of an open and entertaining first half which produced only one
goal but could have seen a half-dozen as both teams concentrated on
attacking football.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson called on his side to step up their
effort in the second half but it was the home side who started the
brighter with several shots on goal in the first few minutes of the
second period.
And Bayern continued to dominate the second half, fully deserving
their equaliser after when a long-range free-kick from the impressive
French international Franck Ribery deflected off Rooney past a helpless
van der Sar.
During a frantic last 10 minutes, United defender Nemanja Vidic
clattered the bar and Gomez forced van der Sar into a last-ditch save
during injury time.
But the van der Sar was helpless as Olic weaved his way through the
United defence and slotted home in the second minute of injury time.
Ferguson accepted that the better side had prevailed.
"We didn't play well and we kept on giving the ball away," said the
Scotsman.
"Bayern were better than us and we can't deny that either.
"They pressed us really hard and we cracked a bit. The last goal was
a terrible one to give away.
"However, the game at Old Trafford will be a different one and we
will be much better. No doubt about that. We have an away goal and that
is an advantage."
As a further blow to Ferguson and England, Rooney hobbled off the
pitch at full time after a clash with Gomez.
"He's got a kick in the ankle, we'll just have to see tomorrow. Let's
hope it's not too serious," said Ferguson.
Bayern coach Louis van Gaal was delighted with what he described as a
"well-deserved win."
After a "shock" first goal, "we needed 10 minutes to recover and
afterwards we were the best side.
"We have a good chance in Manchester because we can always score away
from home," added the Dutchman.
The English side came into the clash in stunning form, having won
their last seven games, including a 4-0 thumping of Italian giants AC
Milan and a satisfying 2-1 defeat of fierce rivals Liverpool at home.
Coming in to the quarter-final clash, the Reds were undefeated in their
last 17 European encounters, a point made forcefully by coach Sir Alex
Ferguson before the game.
In contrast, Bayern's recent form has been poor, with rare
back-to-back league defeats knocking them off the top of the Bundesliga.
The four-time European champions have also been less than convincing in
Europe, needing a hefty dose of luck to squeeze past Italian outfit
Fiorentina. MUNICH, Germany, Wednesday, AFP
|