Fantastic Bayern Munich prepare for CL Final
Bayern Munich’s return to the elite of football may have hinged on some key moments in the season but that has not distracted the Bavarian giants from going strength to strength. After nearly being knocked out in the group stages, they had to come up with a magical performance to destroy the Old Lady of Turin Juventus, 4-1 to advance to the next round. Advance they did but they were almost knocked out by the Italian side in the guise of Fiorentina in the very next round. Due to dodgy refereeing, huge slices of luck and a bit of brilliance from the Flying Dutchman; Arjen Robben, they squeezed past. They stumbled through the competition in order to set up a date with English giants Manchester United. After playing brilliantly against the English at home in Munich, they garnered a win that seemed like it was not going to happen.
Wayne Rooney’s injury only sought to give Bayern Munich more of a chance to go ahead and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. However, it seemed they had been embroiled in a nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams. Inspired by Nani and the surprisingly-early-healed-individual Wayne Rooney, they tore the Bavarian defense a part racing to a 3-0 lead. Ivica Olic who was the scourge of Manchester United in the first leg, was the culprit again as he brought the German’s a ray of hope. Arjen Robben came up with a perfect volley to fire Bayern into the semis against Lyon.
As can be garnered, Bayern’s progression into the final has had its moments of luck. Tally this to Bayern’s early season indifference the team from Munich and the German team seem to have come back strongly.
They may have required luck in the early part of their campaign however their DFB-Pokal was a master class which was meant to send a warning to Champions League finalist Inter Milan. In one of the most lopsided finals in recent history, Bayern Munich joined Chelsea in completing a league and a cup double. It is interesting to note, some of the largest league leaders (Inter still has a way to go) seem to have won the double this season. Inter Milan, if they win their last game will be cup and league double winners. Chelsea did the same by beating Portsmouth while Bayern themselves have now completely the feat. The only difference between Chelsea and the other teams is that unlike the London side based, both Inter and Bayern are vying for the treble, and Bayern’s proficient performance against Werder Bremen in Berlin now means that at least one team will be winning the treble this season.
Bayern crushed Werder Bremen 4-0 in the DFB-Pokal final to complete the double on Saturday. The Bundesliga champions were in imperious form as they swept aside the team placed third in the league table to underline their superiority in the German league this season.
Arjen Robben broke the deadlock with a penalty in the 35th minute before Olic added the gloss with a second early in the second half. Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger then rounded off the things even as Thorsten Frings was shown a red card for Bremen.
Bayern’s complete performance is a warning of great magnitude to Inter Milan who despite their superiority in the Serie A table has yet to win the double. This Bayern Munich side is virtually impossible to recognize from last year’s side which was lackluster and devoid of inspiration.
This year, despite their suspect defensive cover, they have been sparkling thanks especially to Arjen Robben who was considered surplus to requirements in Madrid and it was the Dutchman who opened the scoring in the 35th minute before Olic continued his excellent season by doubling their money early in the second half. Franck Ribery, under a cloud due to allegations relating to illegal sexual relations, was also on the score sheet before Bastian Schweinsteiger capped off a fine evening to let the celebrations begin.
Bayern’s form ahead of the Champions League final at Madrid is great news for the neutral even as one suspects the Special One will have a plan for the Bavarian giants in mind.
Tags: