FC Bayern Qualifies for Knockout Round with Goals by Ribery and Gomez

Bayern grabbed the bull by the horn right from the start and started pushing for an early goal. Villareal for the most part asssumed a defensive role and made some major mistakes right from the start.  After Bayern's loss on the weekend to Bundesliga rival Borussia Dortmund, a win in this game would be a confidence builder.

Munich's efforts paid off early on when Villareal's Marchena placed the ball directly on Toni Kroos' feet.  Kroos, almost in a reaction, pushed the ball to Ribery who lobbed the ball from about 15 meters out over the head of Lopez into the net.  1-0 Bayern.

25 minutes into the match Gomez doubled the score, when Tymoschuk fired a shot from about 25 meters and hit the goal post.  Gomez hussled for the ball and pushed it into the net for a 2-0 lead.

Villareal didn't play dead though.  Five minutes into the second half Kroos misplaces a pass and Oriol picks it up moving up the completel left side of the pitch and from the corner passes the ball into the six metre area.  deGuzman, not covered by anyone,  fires the ball into the far corner, narrowing the score to 2-1 Bayern.

Bayern upped the score in the 69th minute, when Kroos put a perfect pass into the path of Ribery, who out maneouvers Lopez and puts the ball into the net.   3-1 Bayern.  

Bayern was the dominant team in this game and the victory is more than deserved.  Good effort by the team, especially Ribery stood out in this match.  Bayern will be in the knockout round.  Manchester City lost it's match against Napoli.  Bayern meet Manchester City next, but has already secured a berth in the knock out round of 16.


Line Ups:

Bayern: Neuer..Rafinha..Boating..vanBuyten..Lahm..Tymoshchuk..Alaba..Robben..Kroos..Ribery..GomezSubs:  Butt..Contento..Pranjic..Luiz..Gustavo..Olic..Petersen..Muller

Villareal:
Lopez - Gaspar, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Catala - Bruno, De Guzman - Perez, Valero, Oriol - Ruben