Bayern Munich's experience sees them into semis after goalless draw against Sevilla
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 11/04/2018 at 22:07 GMT
Champions League, Allianz Arena – Bayern Munich 0 Sevilla 0 (Bayern win 2-1 on aggregate)
Lewandowski, del Bayern, y Mercado, del Sevilla, pugnan por un balón
Image credit: Getty Images
Bayern Munich claimed their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League with a 2-1 aggregate win over Sevilla thanks to a goalless second-leg draw at the Allianz Arena.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/04/11/2311742-48133610-2560-1440.jpg)
Franck Ribéry (Bayern) - Jesus Navas (Seville)
Image credit: Getty Images
Already holding the aces in the tie thanks to their two away goals, Bayern held Sevilla at bay, despite a challenging first-half.
Trailing from the first-leg, Sevilla played without fear in the opening 45 minutes as they controlled the pace of the contest but failed to reduce the arrears, despite going close through Pablo Sarabia.
Aside from Franck Ribery's half-chance in the first period, Bayern struggled to find any sort of rhythm. But they finally grabbed a foothold of the game after the restart and would have taken the lead had Robert Lewandowski been able to direct his header on target from just a matter of yards out. It summed up a frustrating evening for the Poland international who limped off with an injury in the closing stages.
Sevilla needed to score at least twice to have any chance of progressing in the competition, and the last half-hour would have made for an interesting spectacle had Joaquin Correa’s headed-effort been an inch lower; instead the Argentine was agonisingly denied by the woodwork.
Correa’s disappointment was compounded in stoppage-time when he was shown a straight red card for a poor tackle on Javi Martinez as Sevilla headed out of the competition after a memorable journey, having shocked Manchester United in the previous round.
Ultimately Bayern had too much experience for their Spanish opponents as they sealed their spot in the last-four of the Champions League for the seventh time in nine years.
TALKING POINT - Unconvincing Bayern need to improve
Bayern Munich celebrated their sixth consecutive Bundesliga title at the weekend and they almost seemed like a team in the depths of a hangover as they floundered in the first-half. In the end though their experience got them over the line as they closed the game out.
In truth, the Bavarian giants haven't needed to be at their best to reap rewards domestically, and similarly they haven’t been required to play at their highest level to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. However if they are to reach their first European final since 2013, Bayern need to improve - no matter who they draw in the last-four. On this performance, no club remaining in the competition will fear coming up against them.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Rafinha (Bayern Munich)
The Brazilian full-back enjoyed a fine performance, in both defence and going forward. At 32-years-old, Rafinha is still relatively quick and committed at least two goal-denying challenges; he was equally energetic in attack, finding space on the overlap to deliver numerous dangerous crosses.
PLAYER RATINGS
Bayern Munich: Ukreich 6, Kimmich 7, Boateng 6, Hummels 6, Rafinha 8, Robben 7, Martinez 6, James Rodriguez 6, Ribery 6, Muller 5, Lewandowski 5. Subs: Wagner 5, Sule N/A, Thiago 5.
Sevilla: Soria 7 , Navas 7, Lenglet 6, Escudero 6, Mercado 5, Banega 6, N’Zonzi 6, Vazquez 6, Sarabia 5, Correa 5, Ben Yedder 5. Subs: Muriel 5, Ramirez 5, Nolito 5.
KEY MOMENTS
26’ - SHOT! After a period of lovely build-up play, Sevilla work the ball to Sarabia who, off-balance, screws his shot wide of Ukreich's post.
38’ - GREAT SAVE! Robben squares the ball to Ribery who checks onto his right foot and launches a venomous shot at goal from inside the box which Soria keeps out with a strong one-handed save.
49’ - SIDE NETTING! Bayern have moved up a gear since the restart and almost lead on the night! Rafinha delivers a lovely flighted cross to the back post but Lewandowski can only head straight at the side netting. Some of the supporters on the opposite end of the stadium though it was in!
60’ - CROSSBAR! Sevilla go gonisingly close! Correa meets Banega's dangerous free-kick delivery but can only head it straight at the woodwork.
90'+2 - RED CARD! And Correa is shown a straight red for the challenge! Sevilla are down to 10 men.
KEY STATS
- Bayern Munich kept their 100th clean sheet at home in European competitions.
- Jupp Heynckes has competed three times in the Champions League (97-98 with R. Madrid, 11-12 and 12-13 with Bayern Munich) and always reached the final.
- Bayern Munich have lost only three of their 20 home Champions League games against Spanish opponents (W13 D4).
- The German champions have failed to progress from only one of their 17 previous European Cup/Champions League knockout ties in which they won the first leg away from home (against Inter Milan in 2010-11)
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article