German giants Bayern Munich have put one foot into the Champions League semi-final courtesy of a 2-0 win over Marseille at the Stade Velodrome tonight.
The Bundesliga club overcame a slow start to finally overhaul a Marseille team who had looked well-organized and in control for most of the first half at the least.
Late in the opening 45 minutes, Bayern went ahead when they caught Marseille on the break with Arjen Robben slipping a nice through ball to Mario Gomez who hit his first-time shot on target from the edge of the area straight at Elinton Andrade who should have kept out the attempt. It was a fortuitous goal for the Germans as Philipp Lahm appeared to have handled the ball in the lead up to the sucker punch but nonetheless, Gomez put away his 11th Champions League goal of the season.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, Robben went from supplier to scorer when he played a neat one-two with Thomas Muller before opening his body and slotting it home to give Bayern a vital second away goal.
The French club actually had the better of the chances early with Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer keeping out Rod Fanni's 7th-minute header with Loic Remy putting his follow-up volley well wide.
The 28th minute saw Andre Ayew force a near post save from Neuer with his angled attempt before the German gloveman was able to hold out Ayew's header from Morgan Amalfitano's cross in the 56th minute.
Three minutes later, Andrade did well to deny Gomez when he dangerously struck goalward from Muller's low cross before Jerome Boateng got himself in a right state with Remy baring down on him although Neuer had come out to help with a timely save.
Marseille had more shots on goal throughout the 90 minutes than their rivals but it was the efficiency of the Germans which came shining through as they take a very strong advantage into the return leg at the Allianz Arena next Tuesday.
UEFA Champions League
Olympique Marseille (FRA): 0 Bayern Munich (GER): 2 (Mario Gomez 44', Arjen Robben 69')
Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Yellow cards:MAR - Alou Diarra 34', Stephane M'Bia 64' BAY - Philipp Lahm 32', Toni Kroos 32', Luis Gustavo Dias 36', Bastian Schweinsteiger 82', David Alaba 89'
