Bayern survive test of nerves
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Article summary
CF Os Belenenses 0-2 Bayern München (agg: 0-3)
Luca Toni and Hamit Altıntop scored second-half goals as the Bundesliga leaders prevailed away in Portugal.
Article top media content
Article body
Luca Toni and Hamit Altıntop scored second-half goals in Portugal as FC Bayern München defeated CF Os Belenenses 3-0 on aggregate to progress comfortably to the group stage.
Rensing saves
The Bundesliga leaders were reliant on a goal from Italian international Toni to win the first leg in Germany, and the slenderness of their advantage told in a first half in which the home side looked the more likely scorers. Only six minutes had been played when Weldon created a chance for himself with a neat solo run, although his shot lacked pace and Michael Rensing was able to gather with ease. Sixty seconds later Ruben Amorim also had a presentable opening but again found Rensing with his effort.
Toni chance
Just as his side were settling, Belenenses coach Jorge Jesus was forced into a 15th-minute change as Cândido Costa left the field injured. Bayern then worked their way into the match, Mark van Bommel firing over before Costinha brilliantly blocked a Marcell Jansen shot with his feet after the defender had been teed up by Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 42nd minute. From then on it was all Bayern, Toni giving an indication of what was to come seven minutes after the restart when latching on to another Schweinsteiger pass and drilling just wide.
Thunderous shot
Toni made no mistake four minutes later, collecting a cross from the left on the edge of the box and beating Costinha with a thunderous shot. With Belenenses now needing three to advance, Bayern sensed the tie was theirs and duly wrapped it up in the 78th minute as Toni laid on a simple chance which Altıntop converted. Substitute João Paulo Oliveira had an opportunity to give the home fans some cheer in added time, but shot wide. It was one of those nights.