The Quarterfinals of the Champions League has come to an end and has given us something to sniff about.The second leg of the Champions league match at Munich ended in a victory for Bayern beating Manchester United. Let's discuss on the factors that emboldened Bayern's victory against the Red devils .
Talking about the squad selection :
Pep let his best team in action. The midfield of Bayern looked well creative and threatening and was far before the standards of their opposition. As Schweinsteiger missed the game due to suspension Kroos filled his boots. Javi Martinez and Thiago were out due to injuries. They went into the game with no defencive midfielder but it never caused any threat because ManUnited was never looking to attack. Their full backs played in the role of wing backs. A team that has the potential to win !!
MATCH REPORT :
The match started at 1-1 aggregate with both the teams scoring one goal each at the last leg at Manchester. Bayern needed just a goal to win this leg or a 0-0 draw as they would go in by away goals. But in the second leg they won 3-1 comfortably beating Manchester United. Though Bayern won the match 3-1 they were not dominating in the way they conquered the teams last season. Compared to Manchester United's performance earlier this season, yesterday they performed better but they never looked like wining at any time.Their performance in the earlier part of the game was decent .
Talking about the squad selection :
Moyes made a decent team selection. There was no Van Persie and Evans due to injury and Mata was not eligible to for them in the Champions League. He didn't start Januzaj which is appreciable because the only chance for ManUtd to score goals is by using the pace and beating the defenders to score goals. But if he was selected , he would have been easily fouled and so the defenders could come back before Man united could take the freekick. But most of the United fans knocked Moyes for leaving Januzaj. Moyes made a big mistake by selecting both Carrick and Fletcher. They didn't made the most while attacking. The forward with Kagawa,Welbeck and Valencia looked pacey but he could have opted for Chicharito to Welbeck.
Pep let his best team in action. The midfield of Bayern looked well creative and threatening and was far before the standards of their opposition. As Schweinsteiger missed the game due to suspension Kroos filled his boots. Javi Martinez and Thiago were out due to injuries. They went into the game with no defencive midfielder but it never caused any threat because ManUnited was never looking to attack. Their full backs played in the role of wing backs. A team that has the potential to win !!
Lets discuss on ManUtd performance that prevented Bayern from taking the advantage :
- They were clinical in clearing the aerial balls and passing out the threat
- They were careful while handling Robben and Ribery.Never made any unnecessary tackles and let them gain the advantage on cutting inside .
- They knew the pace of their wingers and so the wingers were marking them until they reached the D-box.
- Robben's role helped them a lot. They just wanted to block his shot than on marking his teammates (If you know what I mean)
- The presence of pacey players like Valencia , Welbeck and Kagawa restricted the opposition to come ahead too much
- They were expecting the unexpected !! They were not too loose to decive to the Bayern
What helped Bayern :
- The main reason for Man Utd drawback was Welbeck. He wasted too many chances
- Man Utd players were never shooting the ball.
- After the first goal they became too lethargic after the first goal, hence conceded 3 more goals
- The substitution of Rafinha for Gotze resulted in an extra defender in the ground but Man Utd were not marking defenders. It led to some more space for Lahm in creating chances.
- Even after conceding two goals United were still looking to defend
- The home ground factor helped Bayern
- Robben was the calalyst to Bayern's game which gave a moment for their victory
The result was just predictable after the draw. Man Utd's performance in the first leg and their performance in the mean time gave a little hope of their progress. But they didn't perform in the way they hoped to. But it's time Moyes to concentrate in the League to Qualify for atleast EURO League wishing Bayern Godspeed in their journey further ahead !!