Bayern Munich see out Lyon in Champions League semi-finals
Bayern Munich reach finals of the Champions League after a win against Lyon.
A first-half brace from Serge Gnabry and a late goal from Robert Lewandowski was enough for Bayern Munich to see out a valiant Lyon side in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Courtesy of this victory, Die Roten will meet Paris-Saint Germain in the final on Sunday.
Hansi Flick received a massive boost for this game as Benjamin Pavard was fit to be in the matchday squad. However, the German manager decided to stick with the same lineup that featured against Barcelona last week. Meanwhile, Rudi Garcia also decided to stick with the same team that triumphed against Manchester City.
Against the odds, Lyon started the game brilliantly against Die Roten. The French side was causing all kinds of problems for Bayern’s defense on the counter. Memphis Depay and Karl Toko Ekambi had big chances to break the deadlock, but they just couldn’t finish them. Die Roten were struggling to get the hold of the game.
After soaking up the initial pressure, Die Roten finally opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Joshua Kimmich played a long pass to Gnabry on the right flank. The German forward came inside from the flank and blasted the shot past Anthony Lopes. Arjen Robben will be proud of this goal.
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Rekordmeister were in cruise control after scoring the first goal. They were dictating the tempo of the game and started creating chances. In the 33rd minute, the German champions doubled their lead. Gnabry won the ball on the right flank and slipped it through for Ivan Perisic. The Croatian forward drilled a cross in the box only for Lewandowski from close range. However, Gnabry was there to hammer the rebound into the net.
A deflated Lyon side struggled to get back the momentum after the second goal. They started the second half on the positive note by creating a couple of big chances for Ekambi, but Neuer made terrific saves to deny the forward. Die Roten had to defend deep as Lyon continued to pile on the pressure.
The German champions delivered the sucker punch for Lyon by scoring the third goal in the 87th minute. Die Roten had one goal disallowed few minutes ago, but Lewandowski’s towering header of a precise delivery from the corner was not going to be saved by Lopez.
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It was an entertaining semi-final despite the one-sided scoreline. Die Roten will be looking to win the second treble of their history when they come up against Paris-Saint Germain on Sunday. The German Champions have won every CL game this season, one more victory will take them to the promise land. A much better performance will be needed on Sunday as PSG have some of the best attacking players in the world.
"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerKimmich-Boateng-Alaba- DaviesGoretzka-ThiagoGnabry- Muller- PerisicLewandowskiSubstitutes- Ulreich, Hoffmann, Odriozola, Sule (↓Boateng (46′)), Pavard (↓Goretzka (82′)), Martinez, Coutinho (↓Gnabry(75′)), Cuisance, Hernandez, Tolisso (↓Thiago (82′)), Coman (↓Perisic (63′)), ZirkzeeLyon (3-5-2)LopesMarcelo- Denayer- MarcalDubois- Aouar- Caqueret- Guimaraes-CornetDepay-EkambiSubstitutes- Tatarusanu, Andersen, Tete (↓Dubois (67′)), Bard, Rafael, Diomande, Lucas, Adelaide (↓Ekambi(67′)), Mendes (↓Guimaraes(46′)), Traore, Dembele (↓Depay (58′)), Cherki (↓Marcal (73′))"