Hard-working Bayern deservedly prevailed 2-0 in the clash of the German and Italian champions-elect on Tuesday night, as Jupp Heynckes’ men inflicted a first defeat of this Champions League season on a physical but limited Juventus, and now travel to Turin for the quarter-final return in two weeks’ time with the advantage definitely in their favour.
The home majority in the 68,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena erupted after just 25 seconds when David Alaba handed his side a dream start with a deflected opener. The Serie A leaders took command for a spell, but the introduction of Arjen Robben for the injured Toni Kroos after a quarter-hour swung the initiative FCB’s way, and the Bundesliga side could easily have added another goal or two before half-time with more ruthless finishing.
After the restart, Heynckes’ side showed great application and patience against the deep-lying Italians and were rewarded with Thomas Müller’s tap-in after 63 minutes. The men in red were content to sit on their lead for a time, but were always closer to adding a third than the visitors to stealing an away goal.
The Bavarians are due in Turin for the Champions League quarter-final return a week on Wednesday, but before then, FCB aim to seal the Bundesliga title with six games to spare by winning away to Eintracht Frankfurt next Saturday.
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