Germany striker Mario Gomez came off the bench to help Bayern Munich to a 1-0 win over Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final last night.
The home side had been rocked by the 37th–minute sending off of Frank Ribery for an ugly studs-up lunge on Lisandro Lopez. However, after Jeremy Toulalon saw red for Lyon Arjen Robben struck the only goal of the game to give the Bavarians a slender lead as they head to France for the second leg.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Bayern started the second half strongly and were unlucky not to go in front before Toulalon was dismissed. Their dominance prompted coach Louis van Gaal to throw on striker Gomez, and he was happy with the 24-year-old’s contribution.
“When we were then 10 against 10 I sent in (another striker) Mario Gomez to score a goal faster,” he said.
“We created many chances but scored one goal. That is good.”
Bayern – fresh from a 7-0 win over Hannover on the weekend – started brightly and had three good chances to take the lead in the opening half an hour. Ivica Olic was the main culprit, blazing high, wide and handsome when well placed.
But a moment of madness from Ribery – who’s been making headlines off the field this week – threatened to derail the home side’s challenge. Lyon, though, remained happy to hit Bayern on the break despite their man advantage and the home side were able to regroup.
Indeed, they should have gone in front early in the second half when Thomas Muller stumbled as he attempted to tap home after excellent work from Philipp Lahm.
They weren’t made to pay for that miss though, as Toulalan saw red – perhaps harshly – just a minute later. The introduction of Gomez highlighted the home side’s positive intent, and they were rewarded after 69 minutes as Robben struck another important European goal.
Picking the ball up on the right, the Dutch winger cut inside before unleashing a left-footed shot that brushed the head of Muller before beating Hugo Lloris in the Lyon goal.
Robben almost scored another fine goal before the end but Bayern must settle for a slender one-goal lead as they travel to the Stade de Gerland for Tuesday’s second leg.
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