Bayern Munich qualifies for quarter-final stage of the
2013/2014 UEFA Champions League despite a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the
Allianz Arena, taking the score line to 3-1 on aggregate.
Arsene Wenger led men came into the day's match looking to
overturn a two goals deficit, a feat they were able to achieve at the same
arena last season thou they eventually crashed out on goal difference, but the
Balvarians took no chance as they limit Londoners play with their attacking
moves.
Bastian Schweinsteiger put Bayern ahead with a calmly taken
side footed shot few minutes after the restart but their joy was cut short just
after two minutes when Podolski benefitted from a malicious defensive play by
Lahm to rifle into the top corner past Manuel Neuer.
Fabianksi saved what should have been Bayern's winning goal
late in the game, as he got just enough in the way of Thomas Muller's
stoppage-time penalty after Laurent
Koscielny was adjudged to have fell Arjen Robben in the box.
With Wojciech Szczesny suspended Lukasz Fabianski, stepped
in, while Thomas Vermalen filled in for Gibbs and Monreal at left back as both
were ruled out with injuries.
Lukas Podolski was also given his first start of the season
in the Champions League playing alongside Santi Carzola and Mesut Ozil just
behind Olivier Giroud who is the lone man upfront.
Guardiola had called on his side to be positive and deprive
Arsenal of possession and they adhered to his orders in the opening stages,
with Schweinsteiger forcing Fabianski into an early save with a long-range
drive.
Bayern were dictating the play and Javi Martinez found the
back of the net with a volley 26 minutes in but the Spaniard was correctly
flagged offside, then Laurent Koscielny was well positioned to get in the way
of the lively Robben's shot.
Arsenal replaced Mesut Ozil with Tomas Rosicky due to a
tight hamstring as they look to intensify their push for a rear comeback but
they were disappointed when Bayern broke the deadlock as Schweinsteiger evaded
his marker to run free into the box and collect a pass from Ribery then he
calmly slot pass helpless Fabianski.
The lead was only going to last for just two minutes. Philip
Lahm and Podolski both pursued a loose ball played towards the Bayern goal and
Lahm went to the ground due to a supposed push from behind by Podolski,
surprisingly the referee waved play on leaving Podolski to move towards goal
and fire a vicious shot into the roof of the net in a tight angle.
Mario Mandzukic's was presented with a chance to restore the
lead but his first touch let him down as he receives a onetime pass from Thiago
Alcantara and Fabianski was alert to the danger.
Fabianski later made an all important save in the closing
moment of the game when he stopped Thomas Muller's stoppage-time spot-kick
after Koscielny had brought down Robben.
The defeat ends the Gunner’s quest in the competition and
they will now have to focus on the Premier League and the FA cup as they look
to end their trophy drought.
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