Record German champions FC Bayern München secured their qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-1 away win over PSV Eindhoven. Robert Lewandowski scored twice for Bayern, who still occupy second place in their group.
Santiago Arias made the most of PSV’s first chance of the game, putting the home side into a 14th minute lead. Replays showed, however, that the defender was offside. Robert Lewandowski then deservedly equalised from the penalty spot, before scoring, what turned out to be, the winner.
Lewandowski stars for Bayern
Bayern, who were missing the injured Thiago, started slowly in Holland. Their sluggish start played into PSV’s hands, who took advantage by heading into an early lead through Arias’ header (14’), despite the fact that the Columbian was offside. Bayern struggled to trouble PSV keeper Remko Pasveer early on. Even former PSV star Arjen Robben, who left the field in the 64th minute to a standing ovation from the home crowd, was short of ideas.
However, towards the end of the first half, Bayern ramped up the pressure. Lewandowski held his nerve from the spot, after Andrés Guardado handled in the area. In the second half, Bayern continued their dominance and found the winner through Lewandowski again. A neat bit of play from Douglas played David Alaba through down the left-hand side. His cross then found the Pole in the box, who first time shot beat Pasveer in the PSV goal. The German champions held on to record their third win in the Champions League this term.
Gladbach held against Celtic
It was a bitter blow for the Fohlenelf’s Champions League hopes, as they had to settle for a draw against Celtic FC. The result means that Borussia now have a very small chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition. Lars Stindl (32’) initially put the home side in front, before Moussa Dembélé equalised from the penalty spot (76’). Julian Korb was given a red card for the penalty offence (75’).
Gladbach now sit in third place (four points) in the “Group of the Death”, but can still catch Manchester City (seven points) with a win in three weeks time. The result, however, also means that third place and a Europa League place is in danger for Borussia, with Celtic now just two points behind.
Stindl scores, Dembélé equalises
For a team who haven’t won in four league games, Gladbach started the game very brightly. Thorgan Hazard was particularly influential, having returned to the side following his injury. However, as Celtic began to assert themselves in the game, it gave Borussia the chance to counter and create chances, leading to their opener. Lars Stindl met Hazard’s cross first time, putting Borussia into the lead (32’).
Gladbach would continue to create chances in the game after their opening goal, without converting any of them. The missed opportunities would come back to hurt the home side when Celtic were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute. Julian Korb pulled back Moussa Dembélé and was given a red card for the foul. Dembélé then stepped up himself to give Celtic their equaliser (76').
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Record German champions FC Bayern München secured their qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-1 away win over PSV Eindhoven. Robert Lewandowski scored twice for Bayern, who still occupy second place in their group.
Santiago Arias made the most of PSV’s first chance of the game, putting the home side into a 14th minute lead. Replays showed, however, that the defender was offside. Robert Lewandowski then deservedly equalised from the penalty spot, before scoring, what turned out to be, the winner.
Lewandowski stars for Bayern
Bayern, who were missing the injured Thiago, started slowly in Holland. Their sluggish start played into PSV’s hands, who took advantage by heading into an early lead through Arias’ header (14’), despite the fact that the Columbian was offside. Bayern struggled to trouble PSV keeper Remko Pasveer early on. Even former PSV star Arjen Robben, who left the field in the 64th minute to a standing ovation from the home crowd, was short of ideas.
However, towards the end of the first half, Bayern ramped up the pressure. Lewandowski held his nerve from the spot, after Andrés Guardado handled in the area. In the second half, Bayern continued their dominance and found the winner through Lewandowski again. A neat bit of play from Douglas played David Alaba through down the left-hand side. His cross then found the Pole in the box, who first time shot beat Pasveer in the PSV goal. The German champions held on to record their third win in the Champions League this term.
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Gladbach held against Celtic
It was a bitter blow for the Fohlenelf’s Champions League hopes, as they had to settle for a draw against Celtic FC. The result means that Borussia now have a very small chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition. Lars Stindl (32’) initially put the home side in front, before Moussa Dembélé equalised from the penalty spot (76’). Julian Korb was given a red card for the penalty offence (75’).
Gladbach now sit in third place (four points) in the “Group of the Death”, but can still catch Manchester City (seven points) with a win in three weeks time. The result, however, also means that third place and a Europa League place is in danger for Borussia, with Celtic now just two points behind.
Stindl scores, Dembélé equalises
For a team who haven’t won in four league games, Gladbach started the game very brightly. Thorgan Hazard was particularly influential, having returned to the side following his injury. However, as Celtic began to assert themselves in the game, it gave Borussia the chance to counter and create chances, leading to their opener. Lars Stindl met Hazard’s cross first time, putting Borussia into the lead (32’).
Gladbach would continue to create chances in the game after their opening goal, without converting any of them. The missed opportunities would come back to hurt the home side when Celtic were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute. Julian Korb pulled back Moussa Dembélé and was given a red card for the foul. Dembélé then stepped up himself to give Celtic their equaliser (76').
