Resolute FCB surmount first hurdle

Jürgen Klinsmann enjoyed a successful Champions League initiation, and Bayern as a club revelled in a return to Europe's elite stage: after 17 months away and a season in the "unloved UEFA Cup“ (Karl-Heinz Rummenigge), the German double winners made an ideal start to this term's European adventure with a narrow but deserved 1-0 win away to Steaua Bucharest.

"We wanted to give a good account of ourselves and avoid defeat, so we’re delighted we’ve ended up winning. We’re extremely happy with the result," chairman Rummenigge commented afterwards. General manager Uli Hoeneß described the result as a "dream“ and a "perfect start“ following a 90-minute battle in rain swept Bucharest. "You can't begin your Champions League campaign better than that.