Bayern Munich last night became the first confirmed finalist in the 2010 UEFA Champions League after an Ivica Olic hat-trick away at Lyon in their Semi-Final second leg saw them clinch a 4-0 aggregate victory.
Olic was to be the only scorer on the night as Bayern recorded a 3-0 away win to add to last week’s 1-0 first leg victory at home.
A goal after 26 minutes, when Olic turned home a Thomas Mueller cross, settled visiting fans’ nerves before Cris in the Lyon defence was sent off following quick fire yellow cards, the first for a foul on Olic, the second for showing dissent immediately after by sardonically applauding the referee’s decision.
In the second half, Olic added a further two goals to seal the victory and his own Semi-Final hat-trick in the process.
Olic’s second goal was a well taken finish after a brilliant pass from Altintop, while the third was a headed finish from a Phillip Lahm cross – the right-sided Bayern player was once again excellent on his flank, in particular, showing great stamina to continue overlapping after Arjen Robben was substituted with 15 minutes remaining.
A real feature of Bayern’s play was their teamwork, being denied their usual tendency to use Franck Ribery as the spearhead in all attacking moves, and it is interesting to see how this all round approach yielded one of their best displays in the tournament to date. Perhaps they will learn from this second leg and play with more confidence if Ribery returns for the final – at present the Frenchman is banned following his red card last week.
On last night’s evidence, whoever they meet at the Bernabeu for the 2010 Champions League Final, Bayern Munich will make a real fist of winning the tournament. Back to near full strength, it would be no surprise if they were to lift the cup for their fourth ever time, in the clubs eighth Champions League Final appearance.