Bayern in driving seat after slaying Sevilla in Spain

Bayern Munich placed one foot in the last four of the Champions League as Thiago Alcantara’s header gave it a 2-1 win away to Sevilla on Tuesday in the first leg of its quarterfinal in Spain.

Sevilla had knocked out Manchester United in the last 16 and another shock looked on the cards when Pablo Sarabia struck from close range in the first half at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

But Bayern’s nous, and a little luck, proved decisive, as Jesus Navas diverted Franck Ribery’s cross into his own net before Thiago headed in a winner, also deflected, in the second half.

The result leaves Sevilla with a mountain to climb. The Spanish side will need to score at least twice in next week’s second leg in Bavaria to have any hope of reaching the semifinals.

Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella had pointed out on Monday how his side has “already made history” by appearing in its first quarterfinal of the Champions League era, but its season is in danger of fizzling out before the end of the month.

Adrift of the top four in La Liga, Sevilla will take on the might of Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, 10 days after facing Bayern in the second leg.

“First of all we have not had much luck,” Montella said. “The team deserved something more tonight, at least a draw.”

Bayern, meanwhile, is strong favorite to reach its sixth Champions League semifinal in seven years, and on this evidence it looks to be genuine contender to become European champion for a sixth time.

“Sevilla had scoring opportunities,” Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said. “Psychologically, it was very important to pull level at halftime, so we could talk about what happened and talk about other aspects and after we took the reins of the game.”