Bayern in Getafe sequel: Zenit impresses

Wild man Fernando Ricksen

Well, you would have thought Bayern would have learned from that 1st leg against Getafe. They played a decent first half only to allow Getafe back in the game due to a lacklustre second half.

They made good away, but only just (who can’t remember this already classic game?).

They were warned for Dick Advocaat’s Zenit St Petersburg. Not only did the former Leningradski’s snatched the Russian title last season, they also defeated some big name clubs in the run up to this semi finals; the likes of Bayern Leverkusen and Olympique Marseille. In particular, their away games were tremendous, what with their counting attacking skills.

Bayern wasn’t feeling too well before the match. Toni suspended, Kahn not fresh, Klose just back from injury and Van Bommel broken nosed. But the Bavarians had a good start, with Schweinsteiger offered a huge chance in the first minute, all alone in the box. He wasn’t really awake yet coz he took the ball in one go while he had time to do his shoelaces. From that moment on, Bayern pushed forward with an outstanding Ze Roberto and a threatening Ribery on the left and Schwein on the right. Still, it would take an unlucky charge in the box and a resulting penalty to allow Bayern to open the score sometime midway the first half. Former AZ, Rangers and Oranje defender Fernando Ricksen and Ze Robert went for the ball Brue Lee style and Roberto was a dash quicker. Ricksen hit the Bayern marathon man and and was penalized: spot kick and a yellow.

Ribery’s penalty was a shocker and instead of being the hero, the Zenit goalie became the schmuck by not being able to hold on to the poorly kicked ball. He bounced it back into the Frenchman’s feet and he did score in the rebound: 1-0.

Bayern pushed on but lost some initiative late in the first half. Signs of things to come.

In the second half, Zenit took more charge. Bayern was torn between going for the kill or protecting the lead and Zenit made the Germans very jittery.
Zenit started to play more from the flanks and their long balls reaped some danger. A good set up on the left and a cross into the box ended on Arne Riise’s – oops, I mean Luciio’s head and Kahn couldn’t do anything about that: 1-1.

Kahn was taken off due to injury and for some reason Hitzfeld took the hard working Schweinsteiger off as well. So where were Klose and Podolski? Well, Podolski didn’t play. He was in the starting line up, though, but he could do a lot other than hitting the best chance of the match wide. The guy is in dire form at the moment. Klose tried his best, dribbling, running, going for every ball but to no avail. The most dangerous players at Bayern’s side were Lucio – trying to redeem his own goal, the aforementioned Schweinsteiger and Bayern’s best man Ze Roberto.

Zenit had the best opps in the second half, with a comedy caper style opportunity as cream on the cake. The slightly mis hit ball rolled past the relief goalie but was too soft to trick Ze Roberto on the goal line.

Hitzfeld must be totally disappointed with the result, but so must Advocaat be. He must know Bayern was ready to be slaughtered in the second half but instead of putting away a second goal, Zenit lost their prolific goalscorer due to a second yellow (charge on Van Bommel’s ankles) and he will be suspended for next week’s match, as will a couple of other St Petersburg regulars.

Mark van Bommel played the full 90 minutes with his broken nose. He played a bit with the brakes on, trying to protect the balance and other than a lot of decent interferences and passes he didn’t do too much outstanding stuff… Other than a couple of unnecessary fouls resulting in dangerous setpieces…

Glasgow Rangers hosted Fiorentina in Scotland. The Italians looked the better team and had several good chances but couldn’t score: 0-0. It doesn’t look all too promising for the Glaswegians next week…

Gee, look at that nose!!