Armin Veh made four changes to the starting line-up compared to last week’s match against Hertha. As announced during the week he left out Zambrano and Rode who are both close to a match ban. Madlung had his first start for SGE in the central defense, Flum and Barnetta returned to midfield and Joselu started up front. Schröck and Aigner were on the bench this time.
EARLY AND LATE BLOWS
As expected the title holders attacked from the start despite an early run on goal of Meier whose shot was easily picked up by FCB keeper Neuer though. Trapp had a great first save when Mandzukic volleyed the ball towards goal (8’), minutes later a Shaqiri attempt touched the outside of the post. Then Götze stepped up and put the ball past Trapp with a skilful finish and Bayern took the lead (12’).
Most of the action took place in Eintracht’s defensive third, the Eagles did well to avoid conceding another goal with decent tackles and plenty of attitude. Meier had a couple of decent chances but Bayern’s Neuer was at hand, especially when a deflected Barnetta cross curled dangerously towards his goal (33’). With a minute to go in the first half FCB topped up their lead when Mandzukic set up Ribery in the box, the French midfielder left Trapp without a chance – 2-0 (44’). And that was the half-time score.
SECOND HALF PRESSURE
The Eintracht side entered the pitch far earlier for the restart than the hosts, usually a good sign. But Bayern had a first good chance early on when Götze tried it from close range but Trapp saved for a corner, the ball went out after hitting the post (52’). And the focus was again on Trapp when he had yet another save to deny Rafinha and a minute later tipped a Ribery chip which went out from the top of the cross bar (58’). After a fast break Ribery set up Götze, again Trapp was in control (64’).
Meanwhile Stefan Aigner had come on for Barnetta (62’), Bayern swapped Shaqiri for Robben (65’). Joselu had a good run pretty free on goal but his attempt was not controlled enough and Flum was not able to follow up (66’). At the other end it was Robben who did better and finished from inside the box after Götze had set him up – 3-0 Bayern (67’). And even worse, Dante headed in a Ribery corner cross which went in from the inside of the post (69’) – Trapp was left without the slightest chance on both occasions.
Trapp was the best Eintracht player by far and it topped up the drama when he had to leave the pitch with an injury, Wiedwald replaced him after 77 minutes. It was obvious now that there was little to gain for the Eagles and the hosts also took off some of the pressure with the comfortable four goal lead. Wiedwald did well with a first save when again Ribery had a go (81’), minutes before the end Robben hit over the bar from very close range (88’). It was a tough beating for the Eagles anyway but even more so when Mandzukic scored his second goal of the night, with a curled finish into the bottom left corner (89’) – 5-0 to FCB. Coming up next is the home match against Eintracht Braunschweig, an ever so important encounter (Saturday at 15.30 CET). Let’s focus on that and let’s hope that Kevin Trapp’s injury is not a serious one.
