Bayern's quality proves too much for Besiktas in Istanbul

Bayern eased past Besiktas in an assured display that confirmed their spot in the final eight of the Champions League. Despite a spirited effort from the home side, who managed to grab a second-half goal, Bayern's quality was too much for Besiktas, and they put three past the Turkish side.

- A noisy night in Istanbul -

Besiktas were buoyed by an impressive wall of sound from the off, provided by a home support that seemingly wasn’t too bothered by the five goal deficit that their side needed to overturn. The Turkish side had a good go at giving them something to cheer about in the first half, and were energetic in attack. They pressed the Bayern back line with intent, and managed to pounce on loose passes from Jupp Heynckes’ on multiple occasions. However, Bayern’s back line proved too solid, and Besiktas’ final product wasn’t good enough. They managed a handful of half-chances, but nothing that seriously threatened Sven Ulreich.

- Bayern draw first blood -

Conversely, despite Besiktas’ energy, Bayern looked fairly comfortable throughout the first period, and showed their quality in their accurate passing play. They punished Besiktas in the 18th minute with some neat attacking. Thomas Muller found space after a run down the right flank, and hit an inch-perfect cross to Thiago, who was waiting at the back post. The Spaniard finished with ease, putting Bayern 6-0 up on aggregate, and essentially ending the tie in the first half. Sadly for Bayern, the goalscorer was forced to come off in the 32nd minute, after picking up an injury, and was replaced by James Rodriguez.

- Calamity out of the blocks -

Bayern started the second half with a bang, scoring within the first minute of action. Franck Ribery broke down the right, and fed Rafinha, who crossed in. His delivery beat two men, but found Besiktas defender Gokhan Gonul, who turned into his own net to give Bayern a 0-2 lead.

- Besiktas consolation -

The visitors looked to be in control over the next fifteen minutes, dominating possession and attacking with composure. However, they threw away their clean sheet in the 59th minute after a sloppy bit of play from David Alaba gave Gonul the ball. He gave it to Vagner Love, who tussled with his man, before going to ground and hitting a desperate effort as he fell. The strike surprised Sven Ulreich, rolling under him to give the home side something to cheer about.

- The visitors strike the final blow - 

Besiktas pushed for an equaliser, but they couldn’t find one, and their efforts led to a series of yellow cards as Bayern frustrated them. The Turkish side tired towards the end, and Bayern punished them in the 84th minute, ending any hope of a comeback on the night. It looked easy for the visitors, who found space down the left through James Rodriguez, then Alaba, who put a deflected cross into the box. The deflection found substitute Sandro Wagner, and the German buried the tap-in, sealing an 8-1 aggregate win for Bayern.

 

14 March 2018