Bayern complete task of ousting Arsenal
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E-mail Xinhua, March 12, 2014
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Bastian Schweinsteiger fires in the Bayern opener after 55 minutes. |
Bayern Munich progress into the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League as Arsenal failed to turn around a 2-0 first-leg loss on Tuesday.
Bayern held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw on home soil, which was not enough for the "Gunners" to progress into the next round as the Germans wrapped up the quarterfinals with a 3-1 on aggregate.
The Bavarians controlled the proceedings on the pitch from the kick off meanwhile the visitors showed an uninspiring start. Arsenal's slow start was slightly surprising as the "Gunners" had to score two goals to maintain their chances.
Thus Bayern found the back of the net with only 27 minutes but Javi Martinez' header following a corner was called offside. Just five minutes later Arsenal got their first effort on target when Olivier Giroud headed into the arms of Bayern custodian Manuel Neuer.
However, Arsenal posed nearly no threat for Bayern's defence although they started powerful into the second half. Despite their improved performance at the second half it were the hosts who opened the scoring at the 54th minute.
Bastian Schweinsteiger had all time and space inside the box, following a square pass by Franck Ribery, to beat Arsenals goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski from close range.
It was a short-lived joy by the Bavarians as Arsenal responded out of the blue through Lukas Podolski, who whipped Philipp Lahm the ball at the box, beating Manuel Neuer one on one from sharp angle.
Despite Arsenal's leveller the hosts allowed themselves the luxury to waste a foul play penalty by Thomas Mueller in the closing period.
It is the second time in row that Bayern Munich eliminated Arsenals in the round of last sixteen.
"I think the decision was made in the first game. We could have created more chances in the last twenty minutes unfortunately we didn't," Arsenal's coach Arsene Wenger said after the game.
"We played smart today. I am very happy with the performance of my team. We wanted to control the game and we did," Bayern's coach Pep Guardiola said.
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