Bayern with a dominant display last night in the Champions League and beat Juventus with 2:0 at the Allianz Arena. Alaba scored the opener after 30 seconds before Muller extended the lead in the 63rd minute.
Bayern entered the game against Juventus after a 9:2 victory in the Bundesliga against Hamburger SV and is leading the Bundesliga by 20 points ahead of Borussia Dortmund. However, to everyone’s surprise, Heynckes left Pizarro and Robben on the bench.
Bayern had a magnificent start, Schweinsteiger intercepted a Pirlo a mistake and Alaba scored a bouncing shot a into the right corner. The ball was slightly deflected by Vidal, but Buffon didn’t look good. Juventus was unimpressed and came to first chances through Pirlo (12th) and Vidal (13th). Bayern manager Heynckes had to replace Kroos after only 16minutes and brought on Robben. Robben made a massive difference and Bayern was much more dominant with the Dutch. However, Bayern failed to extend the lead after great chances by Robben (18th), Ribery (20th), Dante *22nd and Schweinsteiger (42nd).
Nothing changed in the second half and Mandzukic should have extended the lead in the 49th minute, but failed after a great Buffon save. However, Bayer extended to the deserved 2:0 lead in the 63rd minute when Buffon declected a Gustavo shot and Mandzukic played a clever pass to Muller in the box who just needed to tap in – 2:0 Bayern and the Allianz Arena was rocking. Vidal had another chance for Juventus in the 69th minute, but overall Juventus had to be thankful not to lose even higher.
Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes said after the game: We prepared really well and that was the key – our pressing, our dribbling on the flanks, the way we closed them down. Against a team like Juventus, the small details play a big role and that was the case today. That is why I studied them so closely.”
The second leg will be on April 10th at the Juventus Stadium. Tickets here.
