Bayern Munich have simply had a dream run into the finals of the Champions league. Some may say they got lucky while others insist they deserve it. While it is true that luck did favour the German giants; credit has to surely be given to the entire team for never giving up and being able to strike knockout blows to their opponents at crucial times. iSporter Chirag Mansukhani reports.
In the group stages Bayern Munich were drawn out in a group that featured Bordeaux, Maccabi Haifa and Juventus. The clear favourites to qualify from this group were Juventus and Bayern Munich. They were soon to find out that destiny had other plans leaving them to fight it out for one of the spots in the final match of their group.
Having been beaten by Bordeaux in both their group matches and managing only a draw at home to Juventus the German giants faced a stiff task in the final match of the group stages where they were to go to the Old lady of Turin in search of nothing less than a win. Juventus would go through even if they were able to draw the game; hence the pressure was clearly on Bayern.
If you thought the German side had the odds stacked against them at the beginning of the night it was soon to get worse with Juventus drawing first blood making things even worse for Bayern Munich. However, it was to be a night Bayern Munich fans will remember for a long time to come. Things turned quickly in Bayern's favour and how. They were able to draw level through a spot kick and crushed the Juventus dream in the second half when Bayern Munich simply came with a terrific onslaught scoring three more goals on the night sealing their spot in the next round of the Champions league. And little did they know that the best was still to come. Their star talisman Arjen Robben was to steal the show in the games to come.
So a victory at Turin sent Juventus packing and put Bayern into the knockout stages of the Champions league where their opponents in the last 16 were another Italian side. This time they had to overcome Fiorentina. Overcome they did, but not without controversy, some spectacular football and off course a little help from lady luck.
During the first leg at the Allianz arena Bayern were able to come out on top and take a lead to Florence. The only problem was that the Viola were clearly robbed that night with one of their players been given a red card; a poor referring decision to say the least followed by Klose scoring the winner for Bayern when he was clearly miles offside.
Bayern went to Florence feeling reasonably confident but they only had a slim lead to protect. Arjen Robben struck an absolute scorcher to ensure that Bayern made it to the last eight. It was only just enough as Fiorentina were knocked out on away goals with a 4-4 aggregate score at the end of both the legs. So luck and Arjen Robben both played their respective parts to see Bayern march on where they were to meet the mighty Manchester United in the quarter finals of the Champions league.
An early goal by Wayne Rooney put Manchester United ahead at the Allianz Arena in the first leg, though United were to soon find out that they were to leave Munich with nothing. Well they did leave with the away goal though not with a victory. Bayern's constant and consistent pressure paid off with Franck Ribery netting the equalizer. The game was far from over with Bayern stealing the game with an injury time winner.
However, going to the Theatre of dreams and coming out on top is no small feat and United were surely going to strike back on their home turf. And strike back United did, taking a three goal lead. From here, it is fair to say that United lost the match. Bayern were able to pull a goal back before half time and then who better than their star talisman Arjen Robben to strike that final knockout blow yet again. Robben stroked an absolute beauty into the net of a Ribery corner shutting the doors on United. The match ended with a 3-2 victory for United on the night but Bayern were to go through as the tie ended in a 4-4 draw on aggregate but Bayern Munich winning the tie on away goals.
Come semi-final time and it was Lyon who were to face the wrath of now an in form and highly confident German side who had brushed aside the likes of Manchester United and Juventus earlier on. Robben once again struck the winner with Bayern winning 1- 0 on the night and taking a slender lead to Lyon for the second leg. However, Bayern were to crush Lyon in the second leg defeating them comfortably 3-0 with a hatrick from Olic. It must be said that Olic has managed to turn up the heat at crucial times for his side.
Now, they await Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu at Madrid to find out who will be the Champions of Europe. Inter have certainly looked strong and under the guidance of José Mourinho look like a champion side who are almost impossible to beat. After all lets not forget that this is the side that were able to tame the mighty Barcelona who many thought were unbeatable. However, this may well just be the year where Bayern lift the cup. We'll just have to wait and see.
Both the teams in the finals have done the double this season winning both their league titles and their respective Cup championships. What remains to be seen is who will do the treble and lift the coveted Champions league trophy.
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