VfB’s starting eleven threw up a couple of surprises. Having made his comeback against FC Köln, Julian Schieber was in the starting eleven, forcing Cacau back to the bench so that Christian Gentner sported the captain’s armband. Timo Gebhart made his debut in the starting eleven for this campaign, getting the nod ahead of Shinji Okazaki whilst the injured Khalid Boulahrouz was replaced on the right side of the back four by Arthur Boka.

Right from the outset, both sides took an attacking approach and with just seven minutes on the clock, VfB were rewarded for their efforts. Molinaro swung in a cross from the left which Martin Harnik rose to meet at the back post and head back into the path of the on-rushing Christian Gentner, who made no mistake in hammering home from eleven meters out – 1-0! Unfortunately for the hosts, FC Bayern’s answer wasn’t long in coming. In the 13th minute, Rafinha was allowed to march down the right and cross to the centre, where Mario Gomez got a touch ahead of Serdar Tasci and turned the ball past Ulreich to make it 1-1 – which was also to prove the score a half-time. In the 29th minute, Cristian Molinaro was harshly shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Arjen Robben and the Italian was accordingly given his marching orders.

Dramatic closing phase

After the re-start, trainer Jupp Heynckes men continued to have problems making use of their superiority in numbers on the pitch. Instead, VfB stood deep, defended stoutly, had little by way of attacking moments but in the end were to sorely to be left empty handed. Initially, Sven Ulreich made a stunning save to deny Toni Kroos from 17 meters out but in the 57th minute there was nothing the keeper could do as Philipp Lahm put a cross in which found Mario Gomez, who made no mistake from close range – 1-2!