Bayern Munich 1-0 Benfica: Arturo Vidal strike gives Bayern edge By Oliver Yew
Last Updated: 05/04/16 10:36pm
Bayern Munich take a slender lead to Lisbon after Arturo Vidal's header handed them a 1-0 victory against Benifca in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Allianz Arena. Vidal struck after just one minute and 50 seconds, heading home from close range on what proved to be a frustrating night for Bayern in front of goal. Benfica threatened to score an equaliser in the second-half with Jonas Oliveira going close on two occasions and Bayern had a chance of their own with two minutes to go but Robert Lewandowski was unable to find Philipp Lahm, who had an open goal at his mercy. But the miss did not prove costly for Pep Guardiola, who was taking charge of his 150th competitive game as Bayern boss, as his side recorded their 10th straight home win in the Champions League ahead of the second leg at the Stadio de Luiz in eight days time.
It took the hosts just two minutes to break the deadlock as Juan Bernat's cross picked out Vidal, who powered a header into the back of the net.
Bayern continued to pile the pressure on the visitors as Douglas Costa cut in from the right flank before forcing Ederson into a smart save low down to his right.
Bayern continued to dominate and in the 16th minute Costa picked out Lahm on the overlap and the full-back fired a low cross towards Lewandowski at the near post, but Ederson was quickly off his line to smother the ball.
Benfica created their first real opening of the game in the 19th minute with Andre Almeida picking out Konstantinos Mitroglou on the edge of the Bayern box, but the on-loan Fulham striker's header did not trouble Manuel Neuer.
At the other end the goalkeeper was called into action with Thiago picking out Thomas Muller at the far post, but the German forward's volley was superbly saved by Ederson.
Benfica thought they should have had a penalty in the 29th minute when Nicolas Gaitan's cross appeared to strike the arm of the sliding Lahm, but the referee was happy to allow play to continue.
Bayern continued to press forward as the first-half drew to a close with Thiago nearly picking out Muller, while Vidal nearly added to his tally, heading over the bar from 12 yards.
However, the former Juventus midfielder made amends in his own penalty area in first-half stoppage-time, sliding in to block a goalbound volley from Gaitan.
Benfica went close again shortly after half-time when top Jonas turned away from David Alaba inside the penalty area but hit his shot straight at Neuer.
The Portuguese side were threatening and it took a block from substitute Javi Martinez just in front of his own goal line to preserve Bayern's lead as Jonas, who has scored 32 goals in all competitions this season, shot straight at the Spanish defender. The ball rebounded out to the Brazilian striker but he sliced the ball high and wide on the volley.
The visitors' back four were frustrating Bayern and Ederson was not worked again until the 80th minute, repelling a Ribery effort with his foot following a direct run goalwards from the pacey forward.
Lewandowski and Muller were particularly quiet but the two did combine with the Poland international heading over from a corner.
He then spurned a glorious chance to make it 2-0, passing up on the opportunity to shoot from Vidal's through ball and instead over-hitting his attempt to set up Lahm, who had an open goal in front of him.
It was a massive let off for Benfica, who will be pleased to be only a goal behind ahead of the return leg at the Estadio da Luz next week.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10231205/bayern-munich-1-0-benfica-arturo-vidal-strike-gives-bayern-edge
