Not for the first time, FC Bayern will meet Olympique Lyon in the semi-finals of the Champions League. The French side defeated English Premier League runners-up Manchester City 3-1 in the last quarter-final of the current UCL finals on Saturday evening, placing them among the top four teams in Europe's elite club competition for the second time in their history. On the previous occasion in the 2009/10 season, Lyon's opponents in the last four were the very same FC Bayern - and Munich under coach Louis van Gaal prevailed back then.
Favourites Man City defeated
After a cagey opening phase, Lyon outfoxed the Citizens' defence with a long ball in the 24th minute and opened the scoring through Maxwel Cornet. By contrast, favourites City struggled for chances for long periods against the French team's disciplined defence. It was the middle of the second half before Pep Guardiola's side scored the now overdue equaliser through former Bundesliga pro Kevin De Bruyne (69) after a fine move. Most observers thought Man City would now turn the game around, but the reverse was true: ten minutes later, Lyon again hit the Premier League outfit on the break and re-took the lead through substitute Moussa Dembélé (79). And the 24-year-old was not finished yet: after an error by City keeper Ederson, Dembélé made the final score 3-1 in the 87th minute.
Eight meetings with Bayern so far
The victory sets up a ninth meeting between the Bavarians and the team that came seventh in Ligue 1 last season, at Sporting Lisbon's Estádio José Alvelade on Wednesday evening (21.00 CEST). Munich have won four and lost only two (two draws) of the previous encounters, putting them ahead of their rivals in the head-to-head comparison and offering them the chance to repeat a moment of history: After the 8-2 gala against Barcelona, Hansi Flick's side go into the clash with Lyon full of self-confidence, where - just like ten years ago - they can book a ticket to the final.
Fully focused on the next round: Bayern's training programme on the day after the 8-2 triumoh against Barcelona:
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