BAYERN MUNICH TOOK a big step towards the Champions League semi-finals with a 2-0 win away to Marseille.
Franck Ribery’s return to the Stade Velodrome was not exactly a comfortable one, but the visitors overcame stiff resistance to ensure a sizable advantage ahead of the second leg of the quarter-final clash in Munich.
One minute before half-time, Mario Gomez found the net under some controversy, after a suspected handball at the other end.
The goal counted nonetheless, and Marseille were forced to try to overturn the deficit. However, Arjen Robben scored a crucial second goal on 69 minutes, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb.
Chances were few and far between in what was a physical opening half. Though cautious in their approach, the hosts were first to pose a threat on goal and were unfortunate not to take the lead on seven minutes. From a corner, Rod Fanni’s header was tipped wide by Manuel Neuer. Loic Remy was first to the rebound, but blasted into the side netting.
After a tough start, Bayern gathered some fluency in midfield and carved out a couple of openings inside the Marseille penalty area. However, Robben slipped before seeing his window to shoot close, and Thomas Mueller’s low cross found no team-mate in the centre before rolling wide.
Marseille recovered, and shortly before half-time a botched clearance from Jerome Boateng saw the ball roll to Remy. The striker was quick to shoot from the edge of the penalty area, but Neuer pounced to make a save.
Bayern would benefit from a mistake shortly after, but the Germans took their chance as Gomez fired in off Elinton Andrade’s hands. Seconds before, Mathieu Valbuena had kicked the ball off Philipp Lahm’s hand, but play continued as Robben slipped in Gomez, whose finish appeared to be covered by the goalkeeper before it deflected into the net.
After the break, Marseille had an encouraging start, with Valbuena nodding over the bar from Remy’s cross. Andre Ayew headed on goal in the 56th minute, but Neuer had little trouble in making a stop. Then shortly before the hour mark, Remy muscled Boateng off the ball, but Neuer was quick off his line and blocked the forward’s attempt.
The balance swung in the visitors’ favour around the hour mark, however. Andrade did well to deny Gomez, but with 21 minutes left, Robben made it 2-0, handing the visitors a big advantage heading into the second leg. The Dutchman played a 1-2 pass with Mueller, and curled his finish inside the left post.
The most significant action late in the game was a booking for Bayern substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger, who will miss the second leg through suspension. Marseille’s Alou Diarra will sit out the trip to Munich, having been booked earlier.
The result sees Bayern take a commanding lead into the second leg, which will be played on 3 April. The winner of the two-legged tie will face either APOEL or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
