Olympique de Marseille’s hope for a miraculous comeback in the second-leg of their Champions League tie against Bayern München failed to materialise as they lost 2-0 against the German powerhouse at Allianz Arena. The result, les Olympiens tenth straight without a victory, casts the Didier Deschamps troubled side from the quarter-finals of the Champions League with Bayern most likely to face Real Madrid in the next stage, assuming they complete their task against APOEL tomorrow.

After losing the opening leg 2-0 Stade Vélodrome, l’OM manager Didier Deschamps put forth his best possible attacking line-up with Brandão up top, flanked by André Ayew and Loïc Rémy and Mathieu Valbuena to stir the recipe. Following a notably series of early advance from Jérémy Morel and Loïc Rémy, the packed Allianz Arena rose in voice at the thirteenth minute to cheer as Franck Ribéry surged up the right against his former side before delivering a perfect cross that Ivica Olić turned into the net. Down by three, any remote chance for the Marseillais would require a complete break-down from their hosts but that was not forthcoming as they continued to apply pressure upon goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. The l’OM ‘keeper maintained the one goal score with a series of stops before the margin was doubled eight minutes shy of the break via a quick counter that Franck Ribéry led down the length of the pitch on the left flank before shuttling the ball to David Alaba with the Austrian international then crossing for Ivica Olić to turn into the net.

The second-half offered little to suggest the comeback of all comebacks and after a Brandão failed to breach the net, Bayern locked down the affair with Steve Mandanda performing a yeoman’s task to maintain a respectable score. As the contest waned, l’OM accepted their fate to fall 2-0 to Bayern München, yet now the greatest question for les Olympiens remain if Didier Deschamps days of manager are nearing an end.

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Olympique de Marseille’s troubles continued as they were handed a resounding 2-0 loss to Bayern München in the opening leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Stade Vélodrome. The result extends l’OM winless run to nine in all competitions and leaves with a mighty hill to climb in next weeks decider in München.

Suffering in a deplorable Ligue 1 campaign the may see their side completely out of European competition next year, les Marseillais rested hope on a successful start to the quarter-final tie. Without the services of goalkeeper Steve Mandana due to suspension, former Rapid Bucureşti man Elinton Andrade stepped between the woodwork with Mathieu Valbuena donning the captain’s armband. Before a modest crowd of less than 32,000, Bayern tested Elinton Andrade early with Arjen Robbin’s curling strike from the right by-line parried to safety. Les Olympiens squandered a golden opportunity at the seventh minute when André Ayew’s point blank header of Mathieu Valbuena’s corner from the right was stopped by Bayern ‘keeper Manuel Neuer but Loïc Rémy sent the rebound into the side netting with the open goal beckoning. After the early advanced, play buckled down into a tough midfield prize fight, with few attacking efforts of worth. If l’OM thought they were going to go to the break level, Bayern had something to say with the go-ahead and all-important away goal one minute shy of the break. After dispossessing Mathieu Valbuena of the ball, Phillip Lahm launched a quick counter on the right, linking to Arjen Robben via Franck Ribéry. The stylish Dutch international fed Mario Gómez in the area with the striker delivering a booming effort to the right corner that was too hot for the l’OM ‘keeper to hold.

The second half started with a spirited attack on the left by les Olympiens only to come up empty as Mathieu Valbuena’ nodded a cross over the bar. Bayern continued its patient play and after Loïc Rémy’s header pulled down by Manuel Neuer and yet another chance by the striker was stopped, the Bundesliga side doubled the margin with twenty-one minutes remaining in regulation time. Coming off the right flank, Arjen Robben played a sumptuous one-two with Thomas Müller before sending a low, side-footed effort, to the bottom right corner of the net. For the balance of play, l’OM’s efforts were primarily of the low probability kind and the match concluded without further incident as Bayern München claimed the 2-0 victory.

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In the most ironic of tales, Marco Reus provided his future employers in Dortmund a boost in their effort to defend their title as the twenty-two year old virtuoso lead Borussia Mönchengladbach to a 3-1 victory over visiting Bayern München in the opening contest of the Bundesliga’s rückrunde. With the result, Die Fohlen pull one point off Bayern at top of the table Bayern but with BVB lurking close a victory against Hamburger SV could see a two-way tie for first place.

In front of their adoring fans at Borussia Park Stadion, Lucien Favre’s men entered the evening after enjoying the best opening half of the campaign for Gladback in thirty-five years. However with the young Marco Reus on his way to BVB at the end of the campaign following a £14.5m deal completed this 4 January, the Fohlen need to both continue their hunt for a European berth but see to a well planned reinvestment of said funds.

With Bayern the consensus favourite Borussia had its evening cut out for them but after a tense start with both sides prying for an opening, Manuel Neuer’s shambolic blunder was an ominous step of things to come for the visitors. Borussia, never shy of work-rate under the guise of Mr. Favre, showed volition in pursuit of every loose ball and in what should have been a routine clearance the Bayern ‘keeper, who was well out of the goal, sent the ball to Marco Reus who wasted no time to volley into the right corner of the net from thirty-plus metres. As has been the case so often, Borussia’s young goalkeeper gem Marc-André ter Stegen was in mint form with a delectable stop on Mario Gómez and followed up later to deny Arjen Robben. Four minutes shy of the break, Bayern’s blundering way provided the catalyst for a doubling of the score as Arjen Robben was dispossessed of the ball midfield and after making a meal out of contact watched Mike Hanke deliver a perfect diagonal provision to Patrick Herrmann on the left, who subsequently scored to opposite bottom corner.

With chances sparse, Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes called upon the highly promising Vienna native David Alaba for Anatoliy Tymoschuk three minutes shy of the hour but the visitor’s advances were showing little venom in the final third. Buttoning down play with the two goal margin, Borussia showed the composure of a well heeled unit, comfortably absorbing pressure and waiting patiently for the right moment to launch a counter. Latching onto a long ball on the left channel with eighteen minutes remaining in regulation, Marco Reus cut back away from Holger Badstuber before weighting a perfect provision through from Patrick Hermann who then navigated around the sprawled ‘keeper and tucking into the near corner. At the seventy-sixth minute Bastian Schweinsteiger added a meagre consolation goal for Bayern after a poorly cleared ball allowed him a chance from close range but other that that the remaining time allowed Marco Reus and Patrick Hermann to bow out to the adoring fans as Borussia Mönchengladbach claimed a 3-1 victory over Bayern München.

In an all-out assault that was flattering to the visitors, host Bayern München defeated FC Zürich 2-0 in the opening leg of their Champions League tie.

After an early flurry from FCZ that saw Amine Chermiti’s header drift wide, the contest was a one-way street with the German powerhouse in absolute control. Coming at eighth minute Bayern took the lead they would not relinquish as Afashioned a chance on the left as he surged towards the by-line before delivering a pin-point cross to the back post the Bastian Schweinsteiger nodded into the net. With the one-goal advantage, Bayern lay siege upon the FCZ end but goalkeeper Johnny Leoni was up for the challenge as well as seeing Jupp Heynckes side, most notably Mario Gómez, squander an array of opportunities. Skipper Philipp Lahm had a gifted chance to double the margin after a classy build-up of play with Franck Ribéry but his effort was denied leaving Bayern wondering what more they could through at FCZ.

At the re-start Bayern pressed forward with ‘keeper a veritable spectator until the sixty-eighth minute. Quickly Mario Gómez was in prime position via Franck Ribéry’s provision but he pushed the wide before seeing a further chance denied by the ‘keeper. Franck Ribéry later found a way to get past the in-form goalkeeper with a curling free-kick only to see the ball rasp off the woodwork before being cleared to safety. As the sixty-eighth minute FCZ won its first corner, with Ricardo Rodriguez’s effort from the right played poorly by Bayern ‘keeper Manuel Neuer and narrowly missed being parried into the net. With a one goal margin and heading to Switzerland, Bayern had to be concerned but that was answered with eighteen minutes remaining in regulation as Arjen Robben ducked inside from the right before pinning the ball to the left side of the net. While Bayern continued to press for the third goal, FCZ was able with withstand their advances with the match concluded 2-0 in favour of the hosts.

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The stunning turnaround of Borussia Mönchengladbach under manager Lucien Favre continued as they kicked off the new Bundesliga campaign with a 1-0 victory over host Bayern München.

Die Fohlen, who managed the greatest of escapes from relegation last year upon the arrival of Lucien Favre, were the proverbial “bend but not break” defending unit as Bayern through an endless series of attacks yet each was stopped by nineteen year-old rising star Marc-André ter Stegen. In an all-out assault, Mario Gómez threatened at the seventh minute but a combination of tight sight-lines, solid placement and good fortune kept Bayern off the scoresheet.

Showing no signs of letting up after the break, Bayern narrowly missed taking the lead when Mario Gómez sent a header off the post but as so often the case, squandered chances would prove large. Coming at the sixty-second minute a long ball that equally could have been handled by Jérôme Boateng resulted in Igor de Camargo headed it over and out of position Manuel Neuer. Bayern responded quickly but efforts from Arjen Robben saw the youthful Marc-André ter Stegen stretch out to deny. Though Bayern maintained pressure for the balance of time, Borussia Mönchengladbach held on tightly to claim the 1-0 victory.

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Hannover 96 extended their assault on a berth on the European stage as they unceremoniously defeated Bayern München 3-1 at the Niedersachsenstadion. With the result, 96, who grappled with near ruin last year push to third spot in the Bundesliga table, whilst Bayern loses their third straight contest and run the risk of being overtaken by Mainz 05 who play on Sunday.

Mirko Slomka’s 96, with a firm vision of a spot in the Champions League came out gunning and took the lead a minute past the quarter hour as Mohammed Abdellaoue half volleyed in Konstantin Rausch’s beaming cross from the left flank into the back of the net. For the balance of the half, the hosts were clearly in charge of the beleagured Bayern but were only able to build upon their lead and had to be satisfied with the one-goal advantage as both sides went to their respective change rooms.

At the re-start, Bayern manager Louis van Gaal shuffled his line-up as he added Andreas Ottl and Daniel van Buyten for Holger Badstuber and Anatoliy Tymoschuk. Despite the changes 96 doubled its advantage six minutes into new half as coming off a short corner on the right, Konstantin Rausch was played back the ball and moving to the top corner of the area sent an effort took a fortuitous bounce off Mario Gómez, past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Thomas Kraft. Bayern quickly mounted a response as four minutes later Arjen Robben halved the margin by heading Franck Ribéry’s cross from the left by-line in at the opposite post. 96 would have nothing of a comeback and two minutes past the hour Sergio Pinto dispossessed Arjen Robben of the ball before surging forward and sending a dipping drive off the ‘keepers mitts in from twenty-two metres. Bayern’s efforts dug into a deeper hole with seventeen minutes remaining as Breno received a straight card for a malicious foul, forcing his side to play a man down. 96 continued to press the visitors and though they were unable to break through again, celebrated their stunning turnaround with a 3-1 victory.

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The Author: John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Twitter with his business leadership and motivational video logs on his YouTube channel. In addition to writing for Europa League News, his Football reports appear for pre-eminent Russian media outlet Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс), the legendary Spartak Moscow.

Within the sporting world, his work is widely regarded as some of the most influential in the sport. Whether it you refer to it as Football, Fútbol, Fußball, Футбол, Calcio or Soccer, his protocols are a cornerstone in training circles across the world. For more information on his sports training practice please visit Renegade Training™ and join their group on Facebook.

Just as he did through his legendary career with Real Madrid, Raúl lead Schalke 04 past Bayern München to earn a spot in the final of the DFB Pokal against MSV Duisburg.

Entering the contest both sides have languished through a troubling campaign with Bayern well off pace at fourth in the table and Königsblauen languishing at the tenth spot with many calling for the dismissal of manager Felix Magath.

The early stages saw the contest tightly played as neither side was willing to expose their selves going forward. After an early effort by Bayern, Raúl offered a glimpse of what was to come as his volley was deftly cleared off the line by striker Mario Gómez, playing the role of timely defender. However from the ensuing corner, Schalke lodged the lone goal as Jefferson Farfán’s provision was headed on by Benedikt Höwedes, with the great veteran showing his predatory skills and nodding the ball in from close range. Down by one, the faithful of Allianz Arena urged their side and on with Arjen Robben shortly thereafter pushing a close range effort off course. Nine minutes shy of the break Thomas Müller’s heroics saved Bayern falling behind from two as he cleared Benedikt Höwedes header, courtesy of a corner, off the line

At the restart, Bayern came out with venom as they search for an equalizer. A early Danijel Pranjić’s weighted through ball was just beyond the touch of Arje Robben and a further effort was corralled by Schalke ‘keeper Manuel Neuer. Just shy of the hour, Bayern manager Louis van Gaal summoned Toni Kroos for Anatoliy Tymoshchuk but the visitor’s defensive stance was proving to be a formidable opponent. In the final ten minutes, Bayern, with Miroslav Klose and Daniel Van Buyten into the affair, pushed forward. However after seeing match day referee Florian Meyer waive off a penalty call, Schalke ‘keeper Manuel Neuer stopped a high probability chance from seven metres by Franck Ribéry to seal the 1-0 victory.

The Author: John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Twitter with his business leadership and motivational video logs on his YouTube channel. In addition to writing for Europa League News, his Football reports appear for pre-eminent Russian media outlet Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс), the legendary Spartak Moscow.

Within the sporting world, his work is widely regarded as some of the most influential in the sport. Whether it you refer to it as Football, Fútbol, Fußball, Футбол, Calcio or Soccer, his protocols are a cornerstone in training circles across the world. For more information on his sports training practice please visit Renegade Training™ and join their group on Facebook.

Prepared by John Davies
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In a convincing display, Borussia Dortmund defeated Bayern München 3-1 in front of a sold-out Allianz Arena. With the result, Jürgen Klopp Dortmunders look to be clear sailing toward the Bundesliga crown as they hold a commanding thirteen point lead over second-place Bayer 04 Leverkusen, whilst Bayern are a place removed at the third spot.

Entering the contest, die Schwarzgelben faced a mighty test as they had not claimed a victory in München since the autumn of 1991 and needed to award goalkeeper Mitch Langerak his debut as “number one” Roman Weidenfeller was out due to injury.

As expected the affair started at a feverish pace with top sides advancing with purpose. Following an early advance by BVB came up empty they brought their 10,000 plus travelling supporters to their feet with a go ahead goal at the ninth minute as Lucas Barrios accepted the ball from Kevin Großkreutz, after he dispossessed Bastian Schweinsteiger and sent it he ball to the bottom left corner of the net. The lead did not last long as seven minutes later Luiz Gustavo volleyed Franck Ribéry’s corner from the left past the young goalkeeper and into the net. Now level at one, BVB charged forward and two minutes later restored their lead as Nuri Şahin from just outside the area, per Lucas Barrios’ provision, curled the ball past Bayern ‘keeper Thomas Kraft to put his side in front 2-1. The breathtaking pace continued as Franck Ribéry pushed his side forward with Bastian Schweinsteiger narrowly missing the target with a header via a cross from the French playmaker and a debatable offside call chalked off a Mario Gomez marker

At the restart, Louis van Gaal summoned Breno for Holger Badstuber as the hosts went in search for the leveller as BVB looked to absorb their pression However at the hour mark the match was fait accompli as Mats Hummels headed Mario Götze’s corner into the net to give BVB the decisive two-goal advantage. Bayern continued to press but the back line of the Dortmunders was up for the challenge and young Mitch Langerak shone brightly, hold back the advances as Borussia Dortmund claimed the stunning 3-1 triumph in München.

The Author: John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Twitter with his business leadership and motivational video logs  on his YouTube channel. In addition to writing for Europa League News, his Football reports appear for pre-eminent Russian media outlet Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс), the legendary Spartak Moscow.

Within the sporting world, his work is widely regarded as some of the most influential in the sport.  Whether it you refer to it as Football, Fútbol, Fußball, Футбол, Calcio or Soccer, his protocols are a cornerstone in training circles across the world. For more information on his sports training practice please visit Renegade Training™ and join their group on Facebook.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011.
All rights reserved

Week two of the hinrude got underway Friday evening with Bayern München shocked by recently promoted FC Kaiserslautern 2-0 at Fritz Walter Stadion.

Louis van Gaal, who saw his side notch a last gasp victory over VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga opener last week, made one change to his line-up with Ivica Olić coming in from German international Toni Kroos. From the opening whistle, the defending champions displayed their rich pedigree in outplaying their hosts but with each turn, finishing was off the mark. Following a Bastian Schweinsteiger effort drifted wide Thomas Müller was played in alone on FCK ‘keeper Tobias Sippel but equally sent his attempt off-course. Ivica Olić later sent a header wide before the Marco Kurz’s host side struck opportunistically on their first notable effort. Coming six minutes past the half-hour, Ivo Iličević accepted Christian Tiffert’s right wing cross via a dummy and from eighteen metres curled a delightful effort to the top right corner past Bayern goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt. Clearly shaken, Bayern went down by two a minute later when Srđan Lakić latched onto countryman Ivo Iličević’s provision from the left before sending the ball to the bottom left corner of the net.

Quickly after the break, Mario Gómez posted a menacing effort before Danijel Pranjić and Toni Kroos were summoned into the proceedings for Diego Contento and Ivica Olić three minutes past the hour. Bayern continued to threaten, with Toni Kroos forcing FCK ‘keeper Tobias Sippel to stop him four minutes later. The host keeper continued to shine as he fast a barrage of shots before Mario Gómez entered with a quarter-hour remaining. Despite maintaining constant pressure and having a man advantage after Ivo Iličević was excused with his second yellow-card, Bayern could not find a way through and Roten Teufel claimed the 2-0 victory.

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Diego Milito continued his tour de force play leading Internazionale with two goals, in a 2-0 defeat of Bayern München in the Champions League final at Estadio Bernabéu in Madrid Spain. With the result, the Nerazzurri claim their first European crown since 1965 as well as the “treble” with the Coppa Italia and the Scudetto. The victory does not come without some remorse as many believe that manger José Mourinho will immediately leave for Real Madrid with striker extraordinaire Diego Milito possibly to follow.

Entering the match, all eyes were focused on Internazionale’s tactical genius of a manager José Mourinho. The forty-seven year-old, though controversial in the media, is a near miracle worker on the pitch with his system a consistent winning model. Whether it his stunning achievement winning the Champions League with FC Porto in 2004, his work with Chelsea thereafter and now with Nerazzurri, he has proven himself a master. Against the Bundesliga champions who were without Franck Ribéry due to suspension, Internazionale controlled the run of play with a confident demeanour.

After a surprising attacking start by the Italian champions, play settled down and José Mourinho’s men waited for the right moment to pounce on a Bayern mistake. Though Louis van Gaal’s had plenty of ball possession early, they lacked the cutting edge without Franck Ribéry and the final effort was disappointing, most notably with the normally reliable Ivica Olić squandering a high probability chance. Played continued with neither side truly worthy of the lead until four minutes past the half-hour when goalkeeper Júlio César sent a long ball that Diego Milito linked to Wesley Sneijder. Surging into the area the former Genoa man sent the ball past Bayern ‘keeper Hans-Jörg Butt for the one goal advantage.

After the break, Thomas Müller had a gifted chance to level from ten metres ‘keeper Júlio César stood tall to parry the ball out. By the hour-mark, it was clear José Mourinho had turned the screw tighter as his side had locked out Bayern’s advances and were playing well behind the ball. With twenty-five minutes remaining, Arjen Robben sent a curling effort from seventeen metres towards the far left corner but Júlio César stretched out fully to paw away. Five minutes later, the contest was ostensibly fait accompli as Diego Milito latched onto Samuel Eto’o’s provision before surging into the left side of the area, turned Daniel Van Buyten the wrong way and hammered the ball into the net for the 2-0 lead. Though Bayern fought valiantly, they could not break through and without further incident the match concluded with Nerazzurri claiming the trophy.

Immediately following the match, old friends Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho met to shake hands in a honest display of good sportsmanship. For Mr. Mourinho who accepted the accolades of Internazionale’s die-hard supporters with sincerity, it also seemed to be his farewell and a time for him to move towards his goal of claiming three Champions League titles for three different sides. While a controversial figure in the Footballing world, where his words in the media often get the best of him, he is racing toward a career of unparalleled success. His victory at the Bernabéu, is considered by many is final charge for Internazionale and likely where he will be installed as the new leader of Real Madrid. For the Nerazzurri faithful, the question is now whether their side can retain Diego Milito or will he follow Mr. Mourinho to the La Liga giants.

Prepared by J. Davies
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