FC Bayern München
FC Bayern München
AC Milan
AC Milan
Bayern Munich 1-1 AC Milan (5-3 pens.): Hosts through to meet Barcelona in final
Toni Kroos equalised Zlatan Ibrahimovic's early opener, but after the German side dominated possession it was they who deservedly triumphed on spot-kicks
By Kris Voakes
Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring early on for the visitors, before Toni Kroos' low drive levelled the scores in normal time. Alberto Paloschi was then the guilty party from the spot, allowing Bastian Schweinsteiger to slot home the winning penalty.
It took less than four minutes for Milan to open up their hosts as Daniel van Buyten hung back to allow Zlatan Ibrahimovic to remain onside from an orthodox crossfield pass, and the Swede needed no second invitation to slot authoritatively past home debutant Manuel Neuer.
Antonio Cassano had a magnificent chance to double the Italian champions’ lead when Ibrahimovic sent him one-on-one with Neuer soon after, but the former Sampdoria man fired his shot much too close to the keeper, whose reactions ensured Bayern stayed in touching distance.
There was a hint of handball in Arjen Robben’s control when he collected possession in the 35th minute, but when play was allowed to continue, Toni Kroos dug out a low left foot shot from around 20 yards which found the bottom corner. It was a thoroughly deserved equaliser on the flow of the game regardless of Robben’s apparent indiscretion.
New signing Rafinha produced an excellent save from Christian Abbiati shortly before half-time as the home side looked to take a lead into the interval.
Abbiati was asked questions by Kroos and Philipp Lahm after the break as Bayern continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the ball, and the keeper was again alert as he smothered at the feet of Mario Gomez, who went through after Daniele Bonera’s slip-up.
Paloschi's penalty failure means that Barcelona will face Bayern in the final, following Milan v Internacional in the third-place fixture at 18:15 local time.
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Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
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Goal.com Rating
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