Bayern Through Despite Home Loss

Bayern Munich were handed a rare and surprising home defeat at the hands of Anderlecht but still make it through to the quarter-final 6-2 on aggregate.

Lucio headed the Bavarians in front early on, before goals from Serhat and Iakovenko put the Belgian side ahead before half time.

Despite the introduction of Frank Ribery in the second half, Bayern were unable to score another goal and lost the second leg. Pride may have been dented but the result in the end was academic.

First Half

Bayern began the first half in the same vein as much of the first leg by attacking Anderlecht. Within the first minute Lukas Podolski beat the Belgian defence to latch onto a through ball only to steer his shot past Zitka and onto the post.

Three minutes in and Brazilian defender Lucio headed a Sagnol cross powerfully goalwards only for Sare to clear with his head. Bayern didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal which took the aggregate score to 6-0.

Another free kick given away by Anderlecht on the right saw Sosa curl in a super ball that saw Lucio rise the highest at the far post t head past Zitka, who really should have done better with the effort.

Five minutes later and that lead could have been doubled but Miroslav Klose was too unselfish after the Anderlecht defence had been split apart again. Through on goal, the Bayern striker looked to play in Mark van Bommel rather than take the shot himself. His pass was under hit allowing Juhasz to clear the danger.

Klose went close again on 16 minutes after good combination play with Jose Ernesto Sosa down the right. His first time shot missed the goal by a narrow margin with the Belgian goal looking far from secure.

However on twenty minutes Anderlecht grabbed an equaliser on the night. Iakovenko was given plenty of room on the right, lofted the ball into the centre, where Serhat was on hand to fire easily past Michael Rensing.

Despite the equaliser, Bayern were still dictating the play and continued to press. Anderlecht were however courageous and were spending a fair amount of time in the Bayern half. On the half hour mark Podolski broke quickly down the left and cut the ball back from the bye-line but Zitka was able to grab the ball.

Bayern were then shocked by a bolt from the blue which handed the lead on the night to the visitors from Belgium. Iakovenko took advantage of a slip from Philipp Lahm and unleashed a shot from the edge of the area. Michael Rensing could and should have done better as he was beaten at the near post.

The visitors had two further chances before the break with both coming right at the end of the half. On 45 minutes, Iakovenko had the beating of Breno before screwing his shot just wide of the far post. During stoppage time Serhat found himself through on Rensing but was forced to wide to endanger the goal.

The Bayern players were met with whistles from the stands at half-time as an indication of the fans desire for more from their team.

Second Half

The start of the second half saw changes for both sides. Ottmar Hitzfeld sent on Franck Ribéry for Toni Kroos, while Anderlecht were forced to replace keeper Zitka with back-up Schollen.

Replacement keeper Schollen was called upon very early on to make a fine save from Miroslav Klose who was a little imprecise with his shot.

Fellow substitute Franck Ribéry soon made his presence felt with a well taken shot on the Anderlecht goal, but Schollen was in place with a good reflex save.

The pressure from the home side increased and they threatened to equalise, but two efforts from Miroslav Klose were unable to find a way through.

Franck Ribéry was became all the more dangerous and on 75 minutes set off on a mazy run that left three defenders in his wake, before being fouled for a free kick, which was wasted.

As much as Bayern huffed and puffed, there was no way to blow down the Anderlecht defence that had been so porous in the first leg. In the end the home defeat at the Allianz Arena was more a dent to Bayern’s pride than a hindrance to their winning of this season’s Uefa Cup.

1-0 Lucio (9)

1-1 Serhat (20)

1-2 Iakovenko (35)

Bayern Munich: Rensing, Sagnol, Breno, Lucio, Lahm, van Bommel, Ottl (Schlaudraff 73), Sosa, Kroos (Ribéry 46), Podolski, Klose (Altintop 87)

Anderlecht: Zitka (Schollen 46), Gillet, Juhasz, Deschacht, de Man, Biglia, Sare, Iakovenko (Boussoufa 66), Hassan, Goor, Serhat (Gillis 91)

Mathew Burt