Tuesday, April 1, 2014

United Draw Bayern Munich, Schweinsteiger Sent Off


 1-1 
Bayern Munich came to England today to face Manchester United for a Champions League quarter-final.  The first-leg meeting at Old Trafford was another tough test for the Premier League club taking on the defending Champions League title winners.

The first-half was quite forgettable for the home team as Bayern Munich completely dominated United. In fact Munich held nearly eighty percent of possession and forced United to play in their defensive third for almost the entire half.  Ryan Giggs was a ghost, Fellaini could not hold possession, and Phil Jones offered nothing in terms of offensive support.  Fortunately for United the visitors were not able to score and they had a chance to regroup during the break.

After half-time Giggs was pulled and replace by Kagawa, likely because of his experience against Bundesliga teams.  The change was positive and Kawaga assisted in creating the first goal of the match.  Kagawa delivered a corner-kick into the box and Vidic was able to score with a glancing header to back-post (58').

The lead did not last long however, as Bayern Munich's substitute Mario Mandžukić assisted on a goal at the other end.  Fullback Rafinha played a ball into the United box and Mandžukić headed it back down for Schweinsteiger who finished with a half-volley (67').  Although Schweinsteiger put his team level with United, his day ended on a sour note.  A late tackle on Rooney earned him a second yellow card and he was sent off in the final moments of the match meaning he will miss the second-leg of the quarter-final.

Bayern Munich have an away-goal advantage heading into the replay in Germany next week and will have home field advantage.  United were out-played for most of the match, but managed to score nonetheless.  The second-leg should be exciting as both teams will feel that they can win and move onto the semi-finals.

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