Ivica Olic's double puts Bayern Munich one step away from home final dream

Bayern Munich 2 Marseilles 0 (Bayern win 4-0 on aggregate)

Jay Peters
Wednesday 04 April 2012 11:36 BST
Comments
Ivica Olic celebrates one of his goals for Bayern Munich last night
Ivica Olic celebrates one of his goals for Bayern Munich last night (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Two first-half goals from Ivica Olic last night eased Bayern Munich into a prospective semi-final with Real Madrid and kept alive the dream of a final at their home ground here next month.

Already down 2-0 from the home leg, Marseilles always looked doomed. Two clinical moments from Olic sealed their fate before half-time.

"I am very happy for Ivica, not only because he played well but also because he scored," said the Bayern coach, Jupp Heynckes, who opted for the Croatian over Mario Gomez. "He worked very hard. He is a bonus for us now."

Bayern took the lead in the 12th minute when Franck Ribéry crossed for Olic who, from a potentially offside position, stabbed home.

Steve Mandanda in the Marseilles goal then produced a stunning spell of goalkeeping, denying Toni Kroos and then parrying an Anatoliy Tymoschuk volley. Shortly after he made a wonderful save to keep out Olic, before beating away Thomas Müller's header.

But he was powerless to stop Olic's second on 37 minutes. Mathieu Valbuena lost possession close to Bayern's corner flag and Ribéry and David Alaba launched a rapid counter-attack that ended with Alaba crossing for Olic to convert.

"We tried to get the best out of this situation," said Didier Deschamps, the Marseilles coach. "But Bayern are deservedly in the last four. The adventure was beautiful."

Bayern Munich Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber, Alaba, Tymoschuk, Gustavo, Kroos (Pranjic, 67), Ribéry, Müller (Rafinha, 39), Olic (Gomez, 75). Substitutes not used Butt, Petersen, Robben, Contento.

Marseilles Mandanda; Azpilicueta, Fanni, N'Koulou, Morel (Amalfitano), M'bia Etoundi, Cheyrou, Valbuena, Rémy (Kabore, 63), Andre Ayew, Brandao (Gignac, 74). Substitutes not used Andrade, Traore, Amalfitano, Jordan Ayew, Sabo.

Referee S Oddvar Moen (Norway).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in