Bayern Munich have one foot in the Champions League group stages after their 2-0 home win over ten-man FC Zurich in yesterday’s qualification play-off, first-leg.
The teams meet again on Tuesday at Zurich’s Letzigrund Stadium and the Germans take a commanding lead to the Swiss second-leg thanks to impressive finishing from their internationals Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben.
The hosts scored an early goal through midfielder Schweinsteiger, then doubled the lead when Dutch winger Robben curled an excellent shot home on 72 minutes.
But Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes will be ruing several missed opportunities, especially in the second half when the hosts squandered four clear chances.
Bayern host the Champions League final at their Allianz Arena stadium on May 19 next year and this was the first step on what they hope will be a run to their first European title since 2001.
Heynckes sent out a strong side with each player enjoying some degree of international experience.
Germany midfielder Thomas Mueller was the only star left on the bench as Heynckes opted for seven full German caps in the team, plus he started with dynamic Robben and Franck Ribery on either flank.
The selection paid off when Robben beat Zurich defender Mathieu Beda down the left flank and fired in a cross which vice-captain Schweinsteiger met at the far post after just eight minutes of play.
Ribery clattered the right-hand post with keeper Johnny Leoni beaten from a free-kick in the second half but Robben eased Bayern’s nerves with his sweetly-struck shot from the edge of the area with just under 20 minutes left.
Gomez went close again with ten minutes left as he fired over as Bayern dominated until the final whistle and Zurich were reduced to ten men when Beda was sent off for a second yellow card in added time.
In Denmark, a shocking error by debutant Cristian Zapata saw Villarreal stunned 1-0 by unheralded side Odense.
The Colombia centre-back, who signed from Udinese earlier this summer, underhit an attempted back-pass to goalkeeper Diego Lopez in the 84th minute, allowing Hans Henrik Andreasen to lash home the winning goal.
Juan Carlos Garrido’s side, fourth in La Liga last season and Europa League semi-finalists, must now win the second leg at El Madrigal next Tuesday or face elimination from Europe’s premier competition.
Play-off round
| Played yesterday | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Agg |
| B. Munich (Germany) vs FC Zurich (Switzerland) | 2-0 | ||
| Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) vs Malmo (Sweden) | 4-1 | ||
| Maccabi Haifa (Israel) vs Genk (Belgium) | 2-1 | ||
| OB Odense (Denmark) vs Villarreal (Spain) | 1-0 | ||
| Wisla Krakow (Poland) vs Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus) | 1-0 | ||
| Played Tuesday | |||
| Arsenal (England) vs Udinese (Italy) | 1-0 | ||
| BATE Borisov (Belarus) vs Sturm Graz (Austria) | 1-1 | ||
| Copenhagen (Denmark) vs V. Plzen (Czech Rep.) | 1-3 | ||
| FC Twente (Holland) vs Benfica (Portugal) | 2-2 | ||
| Lyon (France) vs Rubin Kazan (Russia) | 3-1 |
Second legs: August 23-24