Resolute Bayern put up dogged resistance, scored the vital opener, and then eased into the driving seat to overcome Juventus 2-0 in the Champions League quarter-final return in Turin on Wednesday night and move into the semi-finals for the third time in four seasons on a 4-0 aggregate score.
The 41,000 capacity crowd at Juventus Arena saw a hard-fought and evenly-matched first half, although it was uncomfortable at times for the visitors as the aggressive bianconeri were a team transformed from the limp outfit seen at the Allianz Arena a week ago.
It was a different story after the break as Jupp Heynckes’ men won their tackles and attacked with verve and pace. Arjen Robben hit the post with a curler on the hour, before Munich took the lead on 64 minutes when Mario Mandzukic headed the crucial opening goal. Juve now needed four goals to turn the tie around and the fight went out of Antonio Conte’s side, leaving FCB to run down the clock with ease and sub Claudio Pizarro to emphasise the Reds’ superiority with a second goal in stoppage time
All eyes at the club now turn to Friday’s draw for the last four in Europe’s elite club competition, where FCB can be drawn against any of power trio Real Madrid, Barcelona, and domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund. The new Bundesliga champions are back in action on Saturday at home to Bavarian rivals Nürnberg, before entertaining Wolfsburg in the DFB Cup semi-final next Tuesday evening.
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