|
|
Played
August 17, 2011 2:45 PM EDT
Allianz-Arena — München
Referee: A. Nikolaev
Attendance: 66000
August 17, 2011 2:45 PM EDT
Allianz-Arena — München
Referee: A. Nikolaev
Attendance: 66000
Top of the Match
Arjen Robben
Bayern
Bayern
Arjen Robben
Bayern
Bayern
Flop of the Match
Mathieu Beda
Zürich
Zürich
Mario Gomez
Bayern
Bayern
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Bayern Munich 2-0 Zurich: Schweinsteiger and Robben strikes down Swiss
The Bavarians started off their Champions League campaign in fine form as they earned a convincing win over their Swiss visitors.
By Clark Whitney
Bongarts
Bayern Munich gained a decisive upper hand in its quest for Champions League qualification as the club earned a 2-0 win over Zurich Wednesday in the first leg of the playoff match.
Bastian Schweinsteiger nodded the Germans in front on eight minutes, and although the visitors did well to avoid having the match slip away quickly, Arjen Robben's curling effort on 72 minutes put the Bavarians well in control of the game.
Zurich was first to attack and Amine Chermiti had a warning shot sail over the bar early on. However, Bayern showed more bite, and Schweinsteiger struck shortly thereafter. Arjen Robben whipped in a dangerous cross from the left, and after a slight deflection from Mathieu Beda, the Germany international nodded into the lower-right corner of the net.
Philipp Lahm should have made it 2-0 in the 12th minute, but Johnny Leoni made an excellent save after the fullback had surged into the left side of the penalty box. The defender turned provider shortly thereafter as he set up Mario Gomez, but the off-form striker hesitated and the chance went begging before he even had the opportunity to shoot.
A similar situation arose on the half-hour mark as Gomez was through on goal, but stopped in his tracks as he tried to put the ball on his favored right foot.
Possession was rare for Zurich, and even more scarce were opportunities on goal. Chermiti headed a free kick straight into Manuel Neuer's arms, but was nonetheless called offside, and Ricardo Rodriguez had a long-ranged blast miss a couple yards wide.
Not satisfied with the result of the first 45 minutes, Bayern came out firing in the second half. Following some good lead-up play from Franck Ribery, Gomez missed an absolute sitter from the edge of the six-yard box on 51 minutes. Moments later, The Frenchman's drive was parried, but Leoni recovered to deny Lahm's follow-up.
Ribery was unlucky not to make it 2-0 on the hour mark as his free kick clanged the right post, but Robben eventually got the vital second goal as he struck a trademark left-footed effort into the upper-left corner.
Zurich tired late in the game and the hosts pressed on for more. Gomez looked to finally have his goal, but Dusan Djuric cleared his effort off the line after the striker had rounded Leoni.
The visitors managed to avoid conceding a third time, but things nonetheless went from bad to worse late in the game. Defender Mathieu Beda received his marching orders for a second yellow card, meaning that he will miss the second leg of the tie.
Bayern will be pleased to have kept a clean sheet for the third time in four competitive matches this year, and to bring a multi-goal lead into the return fixture. However, Zurich is not to be underestimated and can head into the second leg with hope - albeit slim - of reversing the tie.
Bastian Schweinsteiger nodded the Germans in front on eight minutes, and although the visitors did well to avoid having the match slip away quickly, Arjen Robben's curling effort on 72 minutes put the Bavarians well in control of the game.
Zurich was first to attack and Amine Chermiti had a warning shot sail over the bar early on. However, Bayern showed more bite, and Schweinsteiger struck shortly thereafter. Arjen Robben whipped in a dangerous cross from the left, and after a slight deflection from Mathieu Beda, the Germany international nodded into the lower-right corner of the net.
Philipp Lahm should have made it 2-0 in the 12th minute, but Johnny Leoni made an excellent save after the fullback had surged into the left side of the penalty box. The defender turned provider shortly thereafter as he set up Mario Gomez, but the off-form striker hesitated and the chance went begging before he even had the opportunity to shoot.
A similar situation arose on the half-hour mark as Gomez was through on goal, but stopped in his tracks as he tried to put the ball on his favored right foot.
Possession was rare for Zurich, and even more scarce were opportunities on goal. Chermiti headed a free kick straight into Manuel Neuer's arms, but was nonetheless called offside, and Ricardo Rodriguez had a long-ranged blast miss a couple yards wide.
Not satisfied with the result of the first 45 minutes, Bayern came out firing in the second half. Following some good lead-up play from Franck Ribery, Gomez missed an absolute sitter from the edge of the six-yard box on 51 minutes. Moments later, The Frenchman's drive was parried, but Leoni recovered to deny Lahm's follow-up.
Ribery was unlucky not to make it 2-0 on the hour mark as his free kick clanged the right post, but Robben eventually got the vital second goal as he struck a trademark left-footed effort into the upper-left corner.
Zurich tired late in the game and the hosts pressed on for more. Gomez looked to finally have his goal, but Dusan Djuric cleared his effort off the line after the striker had rounded Leoni.
The visitors managed to avoid conceding a third time, but things nonetheless went from bad to worse late in the game. Defender Mathieu Beda received his marching orders for a second yellow card, meaning that he will miss the second leg of the tie.
Bayern will be pleased to have kept a clean sheet for the third time in four competitive matches this year, and to bring a multi-goal lead into the return fixture. However, Zurich is not to be underestimated and can head into the second leg with hope - albeit slim - of reversing the tie.
Follow Goal.com on 
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
14 | 4 |
|
Mario Gomez
Striker FC Bayern München |
13 | 0 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
10 | 2 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
7 | 0 |
|
Didier Drogba
Striker Chelsea |
6 | 0 |