Bayern edge closer in Europe

Ahead of the game, Marseille coach Didier Deschamps stressed that his side needed to keep a clean sheet.

It was not to be, as Bayern triumphed 2-0 on the night, but the French side certainly made a determined effort not to concede.

The match opened inhospitably for the Bavarians, amid the boos of home fans and an aggressive early onslaught by Marseille.

Not only did Marseille hold Bayern off, they came close to taking an early lead. A superb delivery from Mathieu Valbuena found French defender Rod Fanni's head only for Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer to expertly divert the ball from danger. Bavarian nerves were jangled once again, as Loic Remy failed to hit the target from the rebound.

In contrast, the nearest early chance for Bayern came when Thomas Müller failed to find a team mate as he cut the ball back. The ball eventually found Austrian rising star David Alaba - who blasted the ball clean over.

Despite their superior possession, Bayern also looked vulnerable - especially to crosses into the penalty area. And it was Marseille who were enjoying the better chances. Impatience crept in and there was a flurry of yellow cards - mainly for Bayern - soon after the half-hour mark. Toni Kroos, Philipp Lahm and Luiz Gustavo, as well as Marseille's Alou Diarra, all found themselves booked within minutes of each other.

Bayern make the breakthrough

With Marseille defending doggedly, it was somewhat against the run of things when when Arjen Robben found Mario Gomez who clipped in a ball that dipped under fumbling third-choice Marseille keeper Elinton Andrade.

Marseille attempted to hit back after the break, with attempts by Remy and Andre Ayew, but another goal for Bayern could not be ruled out - Gomez having a side-footed effort denied by Andrade.

Kroos came off for Anatoliy Tymoshchuk as Bayern looked to protect their narrow advantage. Franck Ribery continued to make forays forward along with Robben, who doubled Bayern's tally - and eased frayed nerves, slotting home sublimely after a one-two with Müller.

Although the traveling Bayern fans would have loved another goal, their delight was obvious even if Marseille avoided conceding again before the final whistle.

In the night's other big soccer showdown, at Milan's San Siro Stadium, Barcelona found opponents AC Milan even harder to break down than Bayern had the French side.

Milan also had some decent attempts, as Barca failed to be their fluent best and get into any rhythm. Somehow the Italians thwarted Argentine ace Lionel Messi's efforts in a game that, despite the absence of goals, did the home side a credit.

Whether they will be able to do the same in Catalonia is another question.

Author: Richard Connor
Editor: Charlotte Chelsom-Pill