Bayern Munich reach Champions League final after victory over Lyon

It may have not been a repeat of their 8-2 win over Barcelona, but a clinical display sees Bayern Munich through to their first Champions League final.

Their opponents Lyon who had put in an exceptional display against Manchester City in the quarter-final, had the best chances of the first 15 minutes, with their through balls causing problems for Bayern’s defence. Firstly Maxence Caqueret found Memphis Depay, who went one-on-one with Manuel Neuer, he got past Germany’s No.1, but somehow put his shot wide. Then it was Karl Toko Ekambi’s turn to be on the end of Lyon’s dangerous direct balls, but he too couldn’t put his chance away, his shot hit the post.

They were chances that Lyon would go on to rue, just moments after the Ekambi chance Bayern went infront. Serge Gnabry picked up the ball from the wing, drove inside to the edge of the penalty area and rifled his shot into the top corner of the net.

Bayern doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute. Ivan Perisic’s low driven cross was met by Robert Lewandowski, however, the striker (who has sensational this season) was unable to make the right contact with the ball. The attempt was kept out Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes, but it went into the path of Gnabry, who put it in to the empty net.

Lewandowski should have made it three just eight minutes before the break, but he was unable to get a touch on Gnabry’s cross. There were questions whether the Polish striker was onside, but had it gone – and been allowed – there would have been no way back for Lyon.

Rudi Garcia’s men did still have some hope, but they wasted their huge chance to get back into the game. Houssem Aouar squared it to Ekambi who was left unmarked, and clean through on goal. But an excellent save by Neuer kept him out and kept the score at 2-0.

With the Bavarians looking to kill the game Hansi Dieter-Flick brought on Phillipe Coutinho. He made an great run to get on the end of a well weighted cross by Perisic, he brought the ball down with an excellent touch and slotted it into the net. However, video replays showed by Leon Goretzka had got a touch on Perisic’s whipped ball, which put the Brazillian in an offside position, meaning the goal was disallowed.

But with three minutes from time, Bayern won a free-kick after Thomas Müller was brought down by a Lyon defender. Perisic took it, and found Lewandowski, who towered over the head of Marcelo and cushioned his header past Lopes. It was his 55th goal of an sensational season, and it was one of the most important goals so far, it booked the Bundesliga sides’ place in Sunday’s final.

Bayern will face Paris St. Germain in the Champions League final, who defeated fellow German side, RB Leipzig 3-0 on Tuesday night.

 

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