By ONYEWUCHI NWACHUKWU
Arjen Robben was the hero for Bayern Munich when his 89th minute superb solo effort helped the German champions to a 2-1 victory over bitter rivals, Borussia Dortmund in the final of the UEFA Champions League decided at the Wembley Stadium yesterday.
The Dutch winger pounced on a loose ball before slipping it past goalkeeper Weidenfeller to give Bayern the lead with only a few minutes on the clock.
The much talked about all-German Champions League final, started with both sides piling forward in search of the opening goal, but it was Borussia Dortmund that pressed much harder in the early exchanges, forcing Bayern into its own half.
As the game progressed, Bayern tried to gain control of the ball, but could not break through the disciplined Dortmund's defence.
In the 14th and 15th minutes, Bayern goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, did not disappoint when he was called to action twice. First, was when he saved Robert Lewandowski's curling shot, and barely a minute later, he denied Blaszcykowski's close range effort.
Midway into the first half, Bayern did everything to slow the game down, as Dortmund continued to create all the chances, but was unable to find the back of the net. However, the Bavarians got their first clear chance in the 26th minute, when Mandzukic's close range effort was tipped out for a corner by Dortmund's goalkeeper, Weidenfeller.
Both teams experienced brick walls in their search to open scores before the break, with Arjen Robben breaking free in the 30th minute, but yet, he was unable to beat Weindenfeller, while Neuer made a brilliant stop to again deny Lewandowski from an acute angle.
The second half began with neither managers making a change to their sides, and both defences holding firm in the opening few minutes of the second half.
Eventually, it was Bayern that went ahead in the 60th minute, when Franck Ribery cleverly found Robben, who in turn squared the ball to Mandzukic, who tapped in for the opening goal.
After the first goal, Bayern continued to look very dangerous by hitting Dortmund on the counter. But ironically, Dortmund equalised in the 68th minute through a superb penalty from Iikay Gundogan after a terrible challenge from Dante. Eventually, it was Robben who got the winning goal for Bayern.
Via: Sun News Online