Bayern’s luck is in as Sevilla squander lead

SEVILLA

Sarabia 32

BAYERN MUNICH

Jesus Navas 38 og, Thiago 68

1

Bayern Munich made the most of several slices of good fortune last night to beat Sevilla and put themselves on course for the Champions League semi-finals.

The German giants fell behind to a Pablo Sarabia strike – the Sevilla forward having earlier missed a giltedged opening – but they battled back to earn a 2-1 firstleg win thanks to two massively-deflected goals.

Sarabia side-footed wide from 12 yards out with only Sven Ulreich to beat on 20 minutes but made amends soon after. The left-footed forward got ahead of Juan Bernat at the far post to control Sergio Escudero’s cross before firing home.

It didn’t take Bayern long to get back on level terms, though. A quick counter down the right saw the ball passed between Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and James Rodriguez before arriving at the feet of Franck Ribery on the left of the area. The French striker’s cross was meant to pick out Robert Lewandowski in the middle, but it took a big deflection off Jesus Navas and the ball went in off the near post.

The Bundesliga side’s winner was also of the fortunate variety. This time Ribery’s floated cross picked out the unmarked Thiago at the far post and his downward header went in via another decisive deflection, this time off Escudero.