Bayern goes through in last seconds…

Getafe coach Michael Laudrup

Ok, read the post I had finished while watching the dying minutes of this match…

There are classic matches played every season! This year’s CL brought us Arsenal – Liverpool. In the UEFA Cup Spanish Ugly Duckling Getafe – Madrid’s third club – impresses. Managed by legend Michael Laudrup with players like Pato and Contra, the Spanish side kept Bayern Munich at 1-1 last week in Germany. The second match tonight started bleak for the hosts. In the first 5 minutes, De La Red fouls Klose right in front of the box. The ref mistakingly judged De La Red to be the last defender and gives him…de la Red card. With ten against eleven, Getafe needs to stay alive. Bayern dominated (75% ball possession at one point) and created pressure and chances, but apart from a lot of attempts and two disallowed goals, Bayern seemed to be in a gridlock. Most teams find it hard to break ten men down. The ten are extra motivated and pull one striker off, leaving not more space at the back for the opponent to take advantage of. Andwith Bayern focusing on scoring, they totally forgot Contra – last weeks goalscorer – in the 44th minute of the first half. The veteran tricked Van Bommel and Di Michelis and ran into the box, hammering the ball home high in the roof of the goal leaving Kahn without a chance: 1-0.

In the second half, Bayern tried to keep the play more wide and the chances and half-chances definitely came, but the best opps were for Getafe. One player penetrated the Bayern box, outrunning the defender, and then passing Kahn, but the moment he wanted to finish it, he slipped… Chance gone. Or later in the game, when a striker took Kahn on, Kahn misses the ball but the striker is looking the other way! When a team mates shouts out he sees the ball again but the goal attempt was thwarted by Lahm’s flying tackle.

It seemed Getafe could survive, but in the last minute of the second half, a loose ball falls in front of Ribery’s feet who dryly scores the equalizer: 1-1.

And the question is then, how will Getafe mentally and physically survive the extra time.

Well, simple. In the first minute,Gasquero shoots the ball like a rocket behind Kahn from outside the box: 2-1. And again, one minute later, Getafe benefits from a row between two Bayern players and move out in counter attack. The low cross into the box is missed by Lucio who slips and Braulio scores the 3-1 from up close. Unbelievable.

A fantastic drama, could have been scripted by Hitchcock. Bayern never seemed to be in control, they had possession, they did force opportunities but they never looked on top of things. And Getafe? Well, the number three from Madrid has very skillful players, and more importantly, they have spirit! Am I happy Bayern is out? No so much as I would have been ten years ago. But I liked to see Van Bommel win this cup. But I have found me a new club to support: Getafe! Great attitude, good skills, opportunistic when possible, cool and collected when needed. A bit like their manager. Go Getafe!!

And then…with four minutes to go, out of nowhere…Mark van Bommel has a free-kick, chips it in the box and Getafe goalie Pato can easily catch the ball. And drops it. In front of Toni. 3-2. With only 3 minutes to… In that infamous last minute, a cross in from the flanks and a perfect header by – again – Toni… Unstoppable. 3-3. And Bayern goes through to the semis to meet Dick Advocaat’s St Petersburg.

What a game. What a drama. And I feel for Laudrup and his men…