Saturday, October 5, 2013

Champion's League: Bayern Munich demolished Manchester City 3-1

Frank Ribery after scoring the opening goal
Bayern Munich stamped its class on a hapless Manchester City in the secound round of the Champion's League group match at the Etihad Stadium.  The Bavarians obviously dominated possession of the game right after kick off. Displaying a much shorter game under the tutelage of former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, Bayern fend off Manchester City's semblance of offense as it is keeping the ball for most of the game. 

Bayern's new passing game eventually created great opportunities.  In the 7th minute, Frank Ribery latched on a long ball from Rafinha in the right flank.  After shifting to evade Jesus Navas, Ribery launched his shot from outside. Joe Hart's save bounced off and the ball find the back of the net as the Bavarians seized the lead. Manchester City tried to respond with the lead but a resolute Bayern defense and a superb passing game made it difficult to do so.  

The Citizens woes doubled in the second half when Bayern add another goal.  Bayern Munich defender Dante fired a well timed long ball pass from the left to Thomas Muller on the right in the 56th minute.  Muller broke away from Gael Clichy for a very open goal. Muller flicked the ball to evade Joe Hart before tapping the ball to an already empty net. 

Three minutes later at the 59th minute, Bayern added another goal.  Toni Kroos stole possession from Fernandinho and passed it to Arjen Robben on the right hand side.  Arjen Robben then shifted and beat Matija Nastasic defense and fired from the right.  Joe Hart touched the ball but the ball bounced on the inside of the near post and the ball went in. Bayern could have added another had Thomas Muller's shot an empty goal in the 76th minute hit the crossbar. 

Manchester City tried to solve the Bayern puzzle and made some changes which saw James Milner taking over Edin Dzeko, Alvaro Negredo replacing Kun Aguero and David Silva subbing for Samir Nasri.   Not long after, the changes made impact. In the 77th minute, James Milner shot from the right was on target but was save by Manuel Neuer's top hand save.  In the 80th minute however, Manchester City could no longer be denied. David Silva feed a pass to Alvaro Negredo at the center, Negredo then beat Jerome Boateng to fire his blasting strike that hit the backpost but went inside the goal. 

Manchester City's hopes was raised after Bayern was reduced to 10 men after Boateng's send off due to a foul on Yaya Toure.  David Silva's free kick however hit the woodwork and denied Citizens another goal for a more respectable finish.