Right from the outset though, Bayern took the initiative and created chances on goal. Trainer Heynckes eleven put the pressure on, which VfB dealt with in the early phases. Firstly an effort by Gomez was blocked away, before Niedermeier was forced to make a last ditch challenge to clear a Müller delivery which was destined for the former VfB striker. On the half hour mark, the visitors then made their breakthrough. Müller had far too much time and space on the right wing, being left to pick out his delivery for Franck Ribéry, who stole away from the VfB defence to poke the ball home from close range and give FCB a 1-0 lead, which they took into the break.

Wide open spaces

Those expecting to see VfB come out and display more aggression and tempo in the second half were to be left disappointed. Just seconds after the re-start, Labbadia’s eleven were to suffer a further setback. Again Müller was left with far too much space to operate in and picked out Gomez, whose initial effort was beaten away by Sven Ulreich, but the parried save fell directly to the feet of the striker, who buried the ball at the second time of asking – 0-2! Shortly afterwards, Franck Ribéry came close to extending the Bayern advantage further still but was denied by an excellent stop by Ulreich. A shot from Jerome Boateng, which was again covered by Ulreich, proved to be the final real effort on goal in the match.