Champions League Semi Final: Bayern Munich Vs Lyon 1-0 : Arjen Robben strikes again to put the German giants to a small advantage with influential Ribery missing the second leg.

Bayern Munich and Lyon finished Wednesday’s Champions League Semi Final game with ten men aside with influential French international, Frank Ribery getting a straight red and Lyon’s Jeremy Toulalan getting dismissed after to yellows.

Bayern started the game off as the stronger side and could have been three goals up by the half-hoir mark but the French were able to hod their composure to hold on.

Frank Ribery’s dismissal on the 38th minute was the turning point for the French champions who are having a difficult time in their domestic league. They were able to have more ball possession and were able to forge attacks.

Frank Ribery’s straight red was the right decision by the referee who did not hesitate once to send Bayern’s star off in front of the Bayern faithful. Frank Ribery’s off field antics must have had a huge impact on his physiology as the French and world media hammered him over allegations of having sex with an under age call girl.

The challenge by the French International was completely out of character and Lisandro Lopez, the Argentinian striker was extremely lucky not to have a broken leg after his standing ankle was stamped on.

However the French sides advantage was levelled on the 55th minute when Lyon’s Jeremy Toulalan received his second yellow card after a high foot challenge which, from replays looked like a 50/50 ball.

However it was obvious that Bastian Schweinsteiger the German international had played his part as he through himself on the ground in pain.

From this point forward Bayern put on the gear a notch and were able to take control of the game with better conviction but did plunder a few chances.

The games only goal came on the 69th minute, when Arjen Robben’s dipping 30 yard shot which took a slight deflection from Muller’s head to beat Hugo Lloris, Lyon’s goal keeper.

A small note on Robben’s goal : Lyons midfielder, Maxime Gonalons, dipped his body so the ball does not hit him which resulted in Robben’s scorcher. This I did not understand as he should have one all in his power to stop Robben rather then ducking so the ball does not hit him.

With the end whistle, French side Lyon did not do a huge amount of work but neither did Bayern as both teams plundered a few good chances, especially Bayern.

Louis van Gaal has added many advantages to Bayern Munich as he allows the German side to play a Dutch type of game.

Bayern are currently playing offensive football with high tempo like the Dutch but are also defending and looking strong like the German’s.

A good example of this was the elimination of Fiorentina and Manchester United in the Champions League First round and Quarter Finals respectively.

Bayern’s only disadvantage is the lack of co-operation Ribery and Robben receive from their forward players as less team work is seen from Muller and gomez. This notion put one thing in mind, why was Luca Toni allowed to leave?

Bayern will now go to the Stade de Gerland in Lyon with a small advantage as French teams are very difficult to play against at home, especially A Lyon side which eliminated Real Madrid, one of the tournaments favourites.

If Lyon are able hold their defence secure and do not concede a goal, they will be able to pressure Van Gaal’s men until the last whistle to score and keep them selves in the Champions League.

Though the French side is far from their old strength with Benzema and Juninho playing else where they can still hold their composure to win. The replacements, brought to Lyon for Benzema and Juninho are lacking experience but are can still pull out a surprise.

Without any doubt, Bayern Munich have the advantage going to the Champions League Semi Final second leg against Lyon, but I predict Lyon will not make it easy for the German’s to reach the Final.

Note: It is very interesting how three Dutch players who were transferred from Real Madrid are so successful in Europe but the Spanish club who spent millions on the world’s superstars are out of Europe and second to Barcelona in the La Liga.

The three players I am talking about are Ruud van Nistelrooy who transferred to Hamburg and is currently in the Europa Cup Semi Finals against Fulham. Wesley Sneijder who transferred to Inter Milan, and is currently in the Champions League Semi Final facing Barcelona at the Nou Camp with a 3-1 advantage. Arjen Robben who transferred to Bayern Munich, in the Champions league Semi Final and is excepted by many as the teams most influential player.

Funny world Ehhh . . .

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