Arsenal 2 Bayern Munich 0: Michael Ballack chuckles at Per Mertesacker marking Robert Lewandowski..but defender has last laugh

Ex-German captain Ballack was working as a pundit

James Orr
Wednesday 21 October 2015 08:01 BST
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Michael Ballack after he was asked about Lewandowski and Mertesacker
Michael Ballack after he was asked about Lewandowski and Mertesacker

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Michael Ballack may have chuckled when asked by Gary Lineker how former international team-mate Per Mertesacker would cope with marking Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski before the Champions League tie last night, but the Arsenal man had the last laugh.

Ex-Chelsea midfielder Ballack, who was working as a pundit for BT Sport, made 98 appearances for the German national team, and played alongside Mertesacker for six years at international level.

Lewandowski has been in phenomenal form this season, having scored 22 goals in 15 games for Bayern and Poland before last night's game, and the prospect of the in-form striker facing Mertesacker made Ballack howl with laughter (watch video below).

It was Mertesacker who was laughing at the end, however. Lewandowski failed to add to his goals total after a fine performance from the towering defender.

Arsenal won the hard-fought game thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil to keep their hopes of progressing from the group stage intact. The teams play again on 4 Novemeber at the Allianz Arena.

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