Champions League - FC Bayern Loses to Manchester City

FC Bayern lost its first Champions League match of the current season with a weakened substitute team.   With Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller und Mario Gomez and Franck Ribery on the bench from the start and Arjen Robben and Toni Kroos back in Germany, the record German champion suffered a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.  Despite the win Manchester City has been eliminated from this season's Champions League competition.  FC Napoli defeated Villareal and took up second place in Group A. 

Injury and flu ridden Bayern's overall performance was weak, with many little mistakes with devastating consequences.   City, which had some starting problems during the first twenty minutes, dominated the remainder of the match and the score could have been easily much higher.  Manchester United was also eliminated after its loss to a strong FC Basel. 

The so-called Munich "B Team"  looked defensively weak in the beginning.  The first scoring opportunity for City came in the sixth minute after a Sergio Aguero was not coverd and was able to put a header on the net.  Ivia Olic tested City keeper Joe Heart in the 12th minute.   David Alaba missed twice in the 18th minute after a shot on goal by Timoschuk. 


City was rewarded in the 36th minute when David Silva fired from a right ankle and sunk the ball into the right corner.  Butt had no chance.  Just three minutes later Aguero, going onto the net on his own, had Butt already defeated, but Boateng was able to make a last minute save off the goal line.  

The Premier League leader dominated the second half and Bayern barely ventured out of its own half.  Seven minutes into the half Yaha Toure scored City's second goal in the 52nd minute.  Bayern seldom challenged Joe Hart.

As the game progressed, Butt was tested several times and made several good safes.   Bayern, without its regular line-up was challenged.  What promised to be a top match between the English league leaders, unfortunately became a test against a mediocre challenger. 

While this year's Champions League venture may be at an end for City, they will be back.