Bayern Munich 2-0 Manchester City - Match Report
Bayern Munich displayed trademark efficiency to defeat City 2-0 at the Allianz Arena. Two Mario Gomez tap-ins gave the German side three points and moved them top of Group A with two wins from their opening two games. Manchester City had two strong penalty appeals turned down but on balance were outclassed by their opponents who could realistically have won by four or five. Manchester United also threw away a two goal lead to draw 3-3 with FC Basel. What a tough group Manchester City have Napoli, Villarreal and of course their opponents for this game, Bayern Munich. The Sky Blues European journey was just beginning but a loss to Die Roten would put Roberto Mancinis side 5 points behind the Germansjust two games in. It was a huge task for the visitors the toughest match of the group stages as not only did their opponents have a wealth of Champions League experience, but the game was held in their own Allianz Arena. A sea of bizarrely dressed and no doubt worse for wear Munich supporters was the backdrop for the game (its currently Oktoberfest in Germany and there was no shortage of Lederhosen on display). Nevertheless Jupp Heynckes knew his side would have to take City seriously despite their playing only one previous Champions League fixture a 1-1 draw with Napoli two weeks ago, compared to Munichs 150 games in the prestigious competition. They are still second to Manchester United only through goal difference in the Premiership however, and have a striker in Sergio Aguero who has 8 goals in 7 appearances. Roberto Mancini fielded a conventional 4-4-2 formation with the lethal duo of Aguero and Edin Dzeko up front. Carlos Tevez could only watch on from the bench yet again despite rumours he was being rested precisely for this encounter. James Milner was also named as substitute in favour of a strong four man midfield consisting of Samir Nasri, Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure and David Silva. Saturdays goalscorer Mario Balotelli was suspended. There were two ex-Manchester City defenders in Heynckes starting eleven Daniel Van Buyten who played five games for the Sky Blues during a loan move in 2004, and all-round flop Jérôme Boateng who played just 16 games during his season at City, he started at left back for Munich. In a rather convoluted looking 4-2-3-1 formation there were plenty of names that stood out Mario Gomez, Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phillip Lahm to name but a few. They also had Arjen Robben ready to come off the bench and cause problems at any given moment. Manchester City got things underway and were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty in the opening minutes. David Silva attacked down the left hand side and cut back to his stronger right foot but Boateng slid in and appeared to take the Spaniards legs. Viktor Kassei waved play on. The visitors had started brightly and had the first attempt on goal, Micah Richards crossed to Edin Dzeko but the strikers shot had no real conviction behind it and Manuel Neuer gathered it easily. Bastian Schweinsteiger had the first effort for the hosts, he struck from range but the ball deflected into the hands of Joe Hart. The industrious midfielders goal record for Munich is actually rather poor and works out about one goal in every 10 games (26 in 256). Compare this to 22 in 89 for Germany and the German giants can justifiably expect a better return from their usually platinum blonde talisman. Dont pity him too much though he is currently living with German model and WAG Queen Sarah Brandner. The team in red was starting to dominate though, and Franck Ribery should have connected with Rafinhas cross to take the lead but somehow failed to do so. City had been performing admirably in the opening half hour Munich had barely had a shot on goal and although the visitors werent peppering Neuers goal, a well taken Yaya Toure free kick had him scrambling low to his right to retrieve the ball. 
Franck Ribéry had a chance of his own minutes later though, he struck low and hard forcing Hart to parry it, and the visitors managed to get it away. Micah Richards was involved in another strong penalty appeal for Manchester City as Jérôme Boateng seemed determined to give his former employees a spot kick. He collided with the City defender to halt his powerful run. It wasnt as clear cut as the earlier incident, but should have been given. Schweinsteiger missed a sitter as Citys flatfooted defence could only watch the midfielder meet Thomas Mullers low cross, he somehow flicked it over the bar from just a couple of yards out a terrific chance for the hosts. It didnt matter moments later though, Franck Ribery cut in past Yaya Toure before firing low towards goal. Joe Hart dived to his left to deny the Frenchman but could only get it as far as Thomas Muller who had an effort, but Hart managed to pull off an amazing second save. Munich strikers were queuing up though, and it was Mario Gomez who finally stroked it home to put the Munich ahead. The striker had been very quiet but proved what a natural goalscorer he is by scoring with his first contribution. Vincent Kompany was extremely lucky to avoid conceding a penalty for City, he made no attempt to play the ball as he clearly obstructed Franck Ribery, moving into the path of the winger and sending him sprawling to the ground. There should now arguably have been a penalty apiece for the two sides, though City had had two reasonable shouts turned down. Joe Hart was left frustrated again as his side went two behind. He pulled off a miraculous save from Luis Gustavos header after Toni Kroos has swung in a dangerous free kick. Despite the keepers best efforts the rebound was again bundled in by Mario Gomez the poacher had struck again. It turned out to be the last kick off the half and Viktor Kasseis whistle ushered the two sides down the tunnel City bracing their ears for a Mancini tirade and Munich no doubt delighted with their two scrappy goals. HALF TIME Just minutes into the second half and Sergio Aguero could well have been walking. After being cautioned in the first half he was penalised for a high foot after a challenge with Daniel Van Buyten. Kassei gave him the benefit of the doubt however; the Hungarian official seemed to be trying to avoid giving any big decisions perhaps mindful of the barrage of tankards that would be hurled in his direction. Roberto Mancini made an unfathomable change 56 minutes in, he replaced striker Edin Dzeko with defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong a curious change for a man chasing a two goal deficit. The Bosnian was absolutely fuming with his manager and didnt hide it too well either, unleashing a torrent of abuse at the Italian before hurling his tracksuit to the floor. Mario Gomez could have had a third on the hour mark, he jumped to connect with a Phillip Lahm cross but it went wide a pretty easy chance for the striker. The row around Dzekos unhappiness continued with Carlos Tevez becoming involved. There appeared to be a mutiny down on the visitors bench with Tevez apparently refusing to warm up. 
It wasnt getting any better on the pitch either, Bayern Munich were on top of the game, Franck Ribery cut inside to fire in a shot but it was easily saved by Joe Hart. The hosts had had twice as many efforts as their opponents and in truth the scoreline didnt flatter them, City had been very quiet so far in the second half, David Silva and Samir Nasri had barely had a touch. One slight positive for the City fans was news that FC Basel had pulled back a 2-0 deficit at Old Trafford. The lack of harmony in the dugout continued with David Platt having to calm Pablo Zabaleta who was getting very hot under the collar. Joe Hart was called into action to deny Bastian Schweinsteiger, the midfielder fired in a great long ranged shot under no pressure from any City players. Joe Hart made a great diving save to his left. The keeper made another great save after a Toni Kroos free kick caused the visitors panic. Mario Gomez got his head to it but Hart showed his agility and reflexes to deflect it and deny the striker his hat trick. Muller could perhaps have tapped it in to mirror the second goal but couldnt quite connect, or perhaps he felt sorry for Hart Citys only performer. Franck Ribery gave way to Arjen Robben for a couple of minutes at the end - the winger had torn City apart and was the real difference between the two teams. Aleksander Kolarov had a chance to get a consolation for the hosts, he burst through the Munich defence but he scuffed his shot which ended up wide by a distance. A night to forget for City then, Bayern Munich are a very strong team and defended too well for the Premier League side, who probably werent helped by Roberto Mancinis obscure substitutions. Referee: Viktor Kassei Attendance: C. 65,000 Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer, Rafinha, Van Buyten, Boateng, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Gustavo, Muller, Kroos (Tymoshchuk, 83), Ribery (Robben, 90), Gomez (Petersen, 90+2) Manchester City (4-4-2): Hart, Richards, Kompany, K. Toure, Clichy, Nasri (Milner, 70), Barry (Kolarov, 73), Y. Toure, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko (De Jong, 55)