Bastian Schweinsteiger’s double seals Bayern Munich victory
Bayern Munich, the finalists of last season’s UEFA Champions’ League came from behind courtesy a double from Bastian Schweinsteiger to beat the Swiss side Basel.
The first half saw an undisciplined performance from the German giants and they deserved to be behind after the first 45 minutes. It was Alexander Frei's excellent shot in the 18th minute that gave Basle the lead; Munich
however staged a fantastic fight back in the 2nd half to register a win.
The equaliser for Bayern came when Schweinsteiger netted in the ball from the spot on the 55th minute mark. It was looking like a 1-1 draw when just 2 minutes from the end the German headed in a free kick delivered
by Holger Badstuber at the back post.
The win means that the former European champions have now won both of their games in group stage so far, while it was the 2nd loss on the trot for Basel.
In the early exchanges of the game it was Bayern who looked more likely to score, Toni Kroos' let loose a fierce drive from an acute angle but it went slightly wide of Franco Costanzo’s goal.
The visitors had a legitimate claim for a spot kick when Xherdan Shaqiri looked to have used his hand to stop the ball, while under pressure from Miroslav Klose, the referee though had a different view of it.
The home side though took their first decent chance and went ahead in the 18th minute. Marco Steller had a big part to play in the goal. He outmuscled Badstuber and cleverly sidefooted a pass for Frei who cruised in
a precise shot that went in at the far post.
The shock goal seemed to have sucked the life out of the Bayern team. For the next few minutes it was the home side that dominated the proceedings while Bayern remained on the back foot.
Benjamin Huggel looked to have levelled the match with a decent header, but it was ruled offside and looking at the replays it was a correct decision. Moments later Shaqiri did well to make his way into the box and laid off a pass
to an unmarked Steller but he could not make use of it.
While Bayern continued to waste chances upfront things were also beginning to get fragile in defence. A corner was allowed to bounce inside the danger area but the Swiss striker headed it well over the bar.
Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel did find himself of a much improved and well worked move from Munich, and he forced a good save from Costanzo.
Bayern’s Manager Van Gaal decided to make some attacking changes at half time and sent on Mario Gomez for Hamit Altintop.
The team responded well and started playing with much more determination and vigour in the 2nd half. It was just 10 minutes after restart when constant pressure paid off; Thomas Muller latched onto a good pass from midfield
and found himself through on goal when he was brought down by Huggel.
Schweinsteiger stepped up for the spot kick and made no mistake in sending the keeper wrong way, it was 1-1 and on balance of the game a fair score line.
It is amazing how a goal can bring back a team’s confidence. Bayern started playing with the same intensity that they had shown in the first 15 minutes. There was no let up for the home side from then on. Philipp Lahm tested the
keeper with a good low drive but Costanzo made a good save.
The match did look to head towards a hard fought draw, and the home side Basel did look content to hang onto what they had. As the clock hit 88 minutes, Schweinsteiger made a clever sneaky run in Basel’s 6 yard box without being
noticed and got on the end of a free kick from Badstuber. Schweinsteiger calmly slotted in the winner and sent his team into jubilation. Bayern Munich has now won 2 out of 2 in their UEFA Champions’ League group stage ties.
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