Bayern stun United
MUNICH: Bayern Munich stunned Manchester United 2-1 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg, with an injury-time goal by Ivica Olic evoking memories of their famous clash in 1999 while Lyon took control of their all-French quarter-final showdown with Bordeaux after securing a 3-1 win on Tuesday.
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 freekick from the impressive 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.
In the other match, the visitors turned in an improved second-half showing after going in 2-1 down at the break but a Lisandro Lopez penalty in the 77th minute gave Claude Puel’s side a two-goal cushion ahead of the return leg on April 7. Lisandro had put Lyon ahead in the 10th minute but Bordeaux, who lost 3-1 to Marseille in the League Cup final on Saturday, levelled shortly afterwards via a trademark header from Marouane Chamakh.
Michel Bastos restored Lyon’s lead and Lisandro’s spotkick means Laurent Blanc’s French champions must win by two clear goals at the Stade Chaban-Delmas next week if they are to turn the tie around. “It’s a good result obviously, but they have an away goal,” warned Brazilian international Bastos. “We have done what we had to do tonight, but we are only halfway there and we have to finish off our task next week.”