Robben strikes again to put Bayern on top
BAYERN MUNICH (1) v/s LYON (0)
BAYERN Munich winger Arjen Robben continued his mission to win the Champions League single-handedly as the Bundesliga leaders earned a slim advantage to take into the semi-final second leg.
Robben, scorer of decisive goals in the previous two rounds against Manchester United and Fiorentina, struck the only goal in a match that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
As with his other winning strikes, the former Chelsea star scored with a powerful left-footed effort from distance, albeit this time seemingly aided by a slight deflection.
His team-mate Franck Ribery, already enduring a miserable week owing to off-field problems, was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Lisandro.
But Jeremy Toulalan was then harshly dismissed for the visitors, who had been forced to make the 10-hour journey by coach because of the travel chaos caused by volcanic ash.
Bayern started brightly and might have gone in front when Bastian Schweinsetiger headed wide from close range, while Ribery and Ivica Olic both shot off-target when in decent positions.
Ribery’s dismissal lifted Lyon, and Kim Kallstrom’s long-range effort tested Jorg Butt in the lead-up to half-time.
But the hosts rallied after the break and Thomas Muller wasted an opening before Lyon saw Toulalan sent off despite taking the ball, not the man.
Robben, Schweinsteiger and Mario Gomez all threatened before, on 69 minutes, the Holland wide man swung his favoured left boot and pummelled an effort past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris via a nick off the head of a crouching Muller.