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Fast-starting Bayern win opener

Mark HallamApril 2, 2013

Bayern Munich have won their Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Juventus 2-0 at the Allianz Arena. David Alaba opened the scoring within 30 seconds, Thomas Müller hit again for the home side after the break.

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Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery (L) and David Alaba celebrate Alaba's goal against Juventus during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match in Munich, April 2, 2013. (Photo: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)
Image: REUTERS

After their second string side smashed Hamburg 9-2 on Saturday evening, Bayern surely weren't lacking in confidence ahead of their quarterfinal with Juventus. Apart from a couple of sharp saves from distance, Bayern goalie Manuel Neuer had a typically quiet night at the Allianz Arena as his outfielders secured victory and a clean sheet.

The hosts scored with the first attempt of the game, after roughly 26 seconds. When Andrea Pirlo conceded possession, Schweinsteiger laid the ball into David Alaba's path. The left-back's long-range hit did not appear particularly powerful or threatening and yet it bounced its way into the bottom corner of Gianluigi Buffon's net. The veteran Italian national goalie looked wrong-footed by the early shot.

[38546336] FC Bayern München - Juventus Turin Munich's Franck Ribéry (R) and Juventus' Arturo Vidal (L) vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Juventus Turin at München Arena in Munich, Germany, 02 April 2013. Photo: Tobias Hase/dpa +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++
Vidal and Ribery often tussled, both should probably have taken an early bathImage: picture-alliance/dpa

Bayern went on to dominate a first half blighted only by an early injury to Toni Kroos. Kroos, who was replaced by Arjen Robben, looks set to miss at least six weeks with a muscle tear.

Robben had two good chances to extend the lead in the first half, including a left-footed shot fired into the side-netting on 33 minutes. Defender Dante came close from a couple of set pieces and the exceptionally lively Franck Ribery also hit the side-netting, while Mario Mandzukic and Bastian Schweinsteiger similarly sought to get in on the act.

Mandzukic also found his way into referee Mark Clattenburg's book late in the half for a trip; prior to this, Clattenburg had tried to let the game flow and pardoned several tough tackles, not least from Juve midfielder Arturo Vidal.

Stale second, with suspensions

Bayern looked a little less dominant in the second period, though they started it with a wonderful counterattack. Luiz Gustavo played a long, low ball to Mandzukic, tearing Juve's three-man back line to pieces. Buffon got down well at his near post to block the Croatian international's shot.

Alaba sought his second from distance ten minutes after the break, before Bayern found the net with their third major chance of the half.

Buffon could only parry a Luiz Gustavo shot, allowing Mandzukic to pick up the loose ball. Mandzukic chose not to shoot, committing Buffon and then squaring the ball instead; Thomas Müller gratefully accepted the gift from point-blank range.

Müller was possibly the liveliest attacker of the second half, also missing from distance after a mazy dribble and then spurning a double-chance from inside the Juve box in the closing minutes.

Key Juventus players Stephan Lichtsteiner and Arturo Vidal will miss the second leg suspended. Lichtsteiner picked up a yellow card when ref Clattenburg judged that he had dived in the area, Vidal earned his yellow card for one of several hard fouls he committed.

Vidal was also on the receiving end of a foul that went unpunished. Late in the game, Ribery buried his studs into Vidal's calf muscle - a tackle that might have earned the French winger a red card if it had been spotted.

In Tuesday's other Champions League quarterfinal first leg, Paris St Germain drew 2-2 at home against Barcelona. Real Madrid host Galatasaray on Wednesday, while Borussia Dortmund are in Spain to play Malaga.