Bayern praised for fighting spirit
Source: Agencies |
April 9, 2010, Friday
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BAYERN Munich has its fighting spirit to thank for yet another memorable comeback where it scored twice to edge past Manchester United and into the Champions League last four.
Dutchman Arjen Robben scored a sublime volley late in the second half at Old Trafford to cut United's lead to 3-2 on Wednesday, sending Bayern through on away goals.
Robben scored from outside the area in the 74th minute at Old Trafford to make the aggregate score 4-4, giving Germany its first semifinalist since 2002 and leaving England with no teams in the final four for the first time since 2003.
United, which gambled by starting Wayne Rooney a week after he injured his right ankle, led 2-0 after seven minutes from goals by Darron Gibson and Nani. Nani added another in the 41st minute to make it 3-0 before Ivica Olic pulled one back for Bayern in the 43rd.
This was not the first time Bayern, which faces Olympique Lyon next, had defied the odds to advance this season.
"You can only hand out a huge compliment to the team," Bayern general director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. "You can only take your hat off and bow to the team's determination, energy and passion."
Bayern's progress to the last four came as a surprise, given the Bavarians' shaky start to the competition where they were all but eliminated on several earlier occasions.
Almost out
"We have to remember that we were almost out of the competition a few times this year," said Rummenigge. "Against (Juventus) in Turin or in Florence (against Fiorentina) and again here in Manchester. But this team has an unbelievable will and amazing passion. Obviously with such attributes you can go very far in this competition."
"After we went 3-0 down against Manchester I also thought this would be tough here. But even before the match we said that a lot is possible in this season," Robben said.
"We had patience, we let them run," Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer said. "It was one of one of the most beautiful defeats in the club history."
Bayern's chances were boosted five minutes into the second half when Rafael was shown a second yellow card, having been penalized in the first half for a petulant kick after being fouled by Mark Van Bommel.
"Young boy, inexperience, but they got him sent off," United boss Alex Ferguson said. "They all rushed towards the referee. Typical Germans. You can't dispute that. The key issues were the goal before halftime and then the boy getting sent off."
Lyon meanwhile was roaring with delight after its European breakthrough. The all-French quarterfinal against Girondins Bordeaux was not so much about domestic supremacy, rather more about Lyon's desperation to finally make an impact in Europe after three times failing to survive the last eight.
"It had to happen some time," Lyon coach Claude Puel told reporters after his side advanced to the semifinals.
"This is a reward for everybody at the club and for the players, who have been through difficult moments but showed character," Puel added after a 1-0 defeat at Bordeaux handed Lyon a 3-2 win on aggregate.
(Agencies)
Dutchman Arjen Robben scored a sublime volley late in the second half at Old Trafford to cut United's lead to 3-2 on Wednesday, sending Bayern through on away goals.
Robben scored from outside the area in the 74th minute at Old Trafford to make the aggregate score 4-4, giving Germany its first semifinalist since 2002 and leaving England with no teams in the final four for the first time since 2003.
United, which gambled by starting Wayne Rooney a week after he injured his right ankle, led 2-0 after seven minutes from goals by Darron Gibson and Nani. Nani added another in the 41st minute to make it 3-0 before Ivica Olic pulled one back for Bayern in the 43rd.
This was not the first time Bayern, which faces Olympique Lyon next, had defied the odds to advance this season.
"You can only hand out a huge compliment to the team," Bayern general director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. "You can only take your hat off and bow to the team's determination, energy and passion."
Bayern's progress to the last four came as a surprise, given the Bavarians' shaky start to the competition where they were all but eliminated on several earlier occasions.
Almost out
"We have to remember that we were almost out of the competition a few times this year," said Rummenigge. "Against (Juventus) in Turin or in Florence (against Fiorentina) and again here in Manchester. But this team has an unbelievable will and amazing passion. Obviously with such attributes you can go very far in this competition."
"After we went 3-0 down against Manchester I also thought this would be tough here. But even before the match we said that a lot is possible in this season," Robben said.
"We had patience, we let them run," Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer said. "It was one of one of the most beautiful defeats in the club history."
Bayern's chances were boosted five minutes into the second half when Rafael was shown a second yellow card, having been penalized in the first half for a petulant kick after being fouled by Mark Van Bommel.
"Young boy, inexperience, but they got him sent off," United boss Alex Ferguson said. "They all rushed towards the referee. Typical Germans. You can't dispute that. The key issues were the goal before halftime and then the boy getting sent off."
Lyon meanwhile was roaring with delight after its European breakthrough. The all-French quarterfinal against Girondins Bordeaux was not so much about domestic supremacy, rather more about Lyon's desperation to finally make an impact in Europe after three times failing to survive the last eight.
"It had to happen some time," Lyon coach Claude Puel told reporters after his side advanced to the semifinals.
"This is a reward for everybody at the club and for the players, who have been through difficult moments but showed character," Puel added after a 1-0 defeat at Bordeaux handed Lyon a 3-2 win on aggregate.
(Agencies)
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