SAN FRANCISCO, February 20, (THEWILL) –Â Bayern Munich did not spare their visitors Besiktas from Turkey in the first leg of the UEFA Champions Round of 16 at the Allianz Arena, as they banged five goals behind them.
In London, Chelsea and Barcelona ended up 1-1, with Lionel Messi seizing on a defensive error to put the Catalans at an advantage in the second leg at Camp Nou.
Four of Bayern’s goals were scored in the second half, with Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski recording a brace each.
Mueller had opened scoring in the 43 minute, 27 minutes after Besiktas defender Domagoj Vida was sent off after tripping Bayern’s striker Lewandowski.
Eight minutes after play resumed in the second half, Kingsley Corman scored for Bayern, making the scoreline 2-0. Mueller struck again in the 66th minute for his brace of the day and Bayern’s third. Then Lewandowski slammed two goals in the 79th and 88th minute.
The hosts dominated the match, with 66 per cent possession and 12 shots on target. Besiktas, playing with 10 men for 74 minutes, only managed one shot on target. And it was in vain.
At London’s Stamford Bridge, Lionel Messi finally got a goal against Chelsea in nine games.
Willian’s fine strike just after the hour mark had put Chelsea in command after earlier hitting both posts in the first half.
However, one moment of carelessness cost Chelsea dear as Andres Iniesta intercepted Andreas Christensen’s pass to tee up Messi to swing the balance of the tie in Barca’s favour 15 minutes from time.
The English champions must now score when they travel to the Camp Nou on March 14 to have any chance of making the last eight.
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