Holders Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw at a resilient Manchester United on Tuesday, but remain favorites to clinch their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, despite losing Bastian Schweinsteiger to a red card.
Bayern played the last few minutes at Old Trafford with 10 men after Schweinsteiger, who scored their equalizer in the 67th minute, got a second booking for tripping Wayne Rooney, ruling him out of next Wednesday’s second leg at the Allianz Arena.
Schweinsteiger’s superbly taken first-time lash into the roof of David de Gea’s net came nine minutes after United skipper Nemanja Vidic stretched to clinically head a Rooney corner past stranded goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the 58th minute.
Photo: AFP
“Congratulations to the team,” Bayern coach Pep Guardiola told reporters. “I am satisfied because Manchester United is one of the best teams in the world and that is something we should not forget.”
“The away goal is extremely important, even though the 1-1 can be tricky. We will try to win the return leg and I have full confidence in my players,” added the Spaniard, whose team are still on track to repeat the treble they claimed last season.
United’s performance was in stark contrast to their recent 3-0 home defeats by archrivals Liverpool and Manchester City in a lackluster Premier League campaign.
Although the draw ended United’s run of four straight Champions League home wins this season, it was a huge improvement on much of their domestic league form, which has left them stranded in seventh place in the table.
Manager David Moyes, who has endured a tough baptism this season after taking over from the retired Sir Alex Ferguson, had said his main wish was to have a foothold in the tie going into the second leg and he was encouraged by United’s performance.
“I was really pleased with the way we played, there was a great atmosphere, a great crowd, it was really gutsy, “ Moyes told ITV Sport. “There was a real determination tonight to make sure we did well. Its a competition we have a really good history in and we played a really good side tonight.”
With Schweinsteiger and defender Javi Martinez now suspended for the return, Moyes was asked if he had more belief in winning next week against a side who retained their domestic title with seven matches left and are in the DFB Pokal semi-finals.
“Well we have to score a goal because if the score stays as it is, Bayern goes through and we have to do something about it,” he said. “We said we wanted to go into the second leg with a real chance and we have done that. We have given ourselves a real opportunity. We will go to Munich and try and get a victory.”
Bayern had won their last four matches on English soil in the past 13 months, including two wins at Arsenal, a victory at Manchester City and success in last season’s Champions League final when they beat Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in London.
After a scare when United’s Danny Welbeck saw a goal ruled out after five minutes for raising his foot too high, Bayern looked capable of extending that winning run and taking their overall Champions League away record to eight successive wins.
They established a grip on the game, creating seven scoring chances in the opening 35 minutes, as defenders David Alaba and Rafinha poured forward to support the attack and they looked sharper to the ball than the hosts, but, for once, the German side, who had scored in their past 60 matches in all competitions, appeared to have lost their cutting edge in front of goal.
The best of those first-half efforts came after 31 minutes when winger Arjen Robben was allowed too much space and De Gea had to dive full length to beat away his shot.
Despite being overrun by Bayern’s attacking momentum, United had the best chance before the break when Rooney found fellow England striker Welbeck with a low through-ball after 40 minutes, which Bayern defender Jerome Boateng attempted to block, but fell over instead. That allowed Welbeck time and space to beat Neuer, but his weak chip gave the goalkeeper the chance to paw the ball safely away.
Ryan Giggs, making his 141st Champions League appearance, one short of Raul’s record, suffered a groin injury and had to be replaced by Shinji Kagawa at halftime.
The enterprising Japanese midfielder, who never lost to Bayern when he was at Dortmund, caused the visitors plenty of problems with some intelligent runs and passes.
From one of them United won a corner, which Rooney swept into the penalty area. The ball went slightly behind the incoming, but unmarked, Vidic, who turned his head to nod past Neuer for his first goal in Europe for more than five years.
United only led for nine minutes, though, before Schweinsteiger replied.
Dutchman Robben came close to a late goal for Bayern, but despite only drawing, the tie is balanced in their favor.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely