Bayern’s road to the final in Madrid (5)

Revenge for Barcelona

Bayern were very much outsiders after being drawn against long-time rivals Manchester United in the quarter-finals, and even more so after England star Wayne Rooney fired the visitors into the lead at the Allianz Arena after just 63 seconds. But with enthusiastic backing from the home fans, Bayern recovered to dominate the game and deservedly equalised after 77 minutes through Franck Ribéry’s deflected free kick. Then, in an uncanny echo of United’s 1999 Champions League final win in Barcelona, Olic rocked the stadium to its foundations when, with the last attack of the game, he wriggled free of the defence and beat Edwin van der Sar to complete a 2-1 win.

Rooney had limped off injured in Munich and it was a surprise to find him in the starting line-up at Old Trafford the following week. Again Bayern found themselves on the back foot right from the kick-off, as Darron Gibson drove home a long-range effort in the third minute, followed four minutes later by a second from Nani. When the Portuguese winger scored again in the 41st minute, Van Gaal’s team seemed to be in danger of humiliation.

But when Olic popped up to beat Van der Sar from close range seconds from the interval, Bayern suddenly saw a chance to get back into the game – especially after United’s Brazilian defender Rafael was sent off in the 50th minute after receiving a second caution for hauling down Ribéry. From then on there was only one team in it, and Robben clinched the visitors’ semi-final berth in magnificent fashion, volleying Ribéry’s corner crisply into the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Source: FC Bayern