A late controversial winner from Miroslav Klose gave Bayern Munich a 2-1 win over 10-man Fiorentina in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 match played in Munich.
Despite starting off as the underdogs, Fiorentina pulled no punches at the Allianz Arena and came close on two minutes with a wide drive from Marco Marchionni.
Alberto Gilardino also had a chance on 10 minutes as Daniel Van Buyten and goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt dithered to almost favour his flick in the area before Cesare Natali nodded wide from close range.
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Bayern’s forwards struggled against Fiorentina’s tight defence, but striker Mario Gomez on 13 minutes managed to fire from a tight angle after getting the better of a napping Per Kroldrup.
Franck Ribery also fired a fast shot that did not surprise French compatriot Sebastien Frey in goal for the Serie A side.
The hosts’ pace increased before the break until Thomas Mueller fumbled off a great drooping assist from Dutchman Arjien Robben, who then fired centrally from the distance and on 45 minutes converted a spot kick after Kroldrup’s flooring of the storming Ribery.
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The towering Dane took care of equalising on 50 minutes with an easy flick after an uncertain deflection from Stevan Jovetic.
A further effort from the young Montenegro forward was saved before Robben fired wide on the hour to finish off a hammering action.
A home draw was not appealing for the Munich side, who had their task made easier when defender Massimo Gobbi was red carded for felling Robben in midfield on 73 minutes.
Croat substitute Ivica Olic squandered from inside the area shortly ahead of Klose’s winner with one minute to go.
Fiorentina complained bitterly as Klose was clearly offside as he nodded home after Frey parried a drive from Robben.
The Italian players were furious and captain Riccardo Montolivo said that it was embarrassing that such mistakes occurred at this stage in the Champions League.
“To be robbed like this is just terrible. We did not deserve to lose.” “It was very bad to concede the second goal in that way, but that’s how it went,” Kroldrup added. “We are still pleased with a good away result.” Even Klose admitted that he was offside. “My instinct told me that I was offside, but it was only when I saw the television pictures I was sure of it. But of course we are happy that we managed to take the win.
“I think we played too hectically. It would have made sense to hold back a bit.” Bayern captain Mark van Bommel said that the side was lucky. “The assistant should have seen that the goal was offside, but we will now go to Italy and try to go through. “We did not play well at all.”