Olympique Lyonnais vs. FC Bayern Munchen: Conclusions and Observations

Bayern won the first leg in Munich, 1-0 via a wonder strike from Arjen Robben.

Bayern won the second leg as well at the Stade de Gerland 3-0, thanks to an Ivica Olic hat trick.

1. Bayern's midfield dominated the game and Lyon were played off the park.

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mark Van Bommel were first to every ball and Lyon could hardly thread a ball to a player ahead of them thanks to these two "bullies."

2. Hamit Altintop showed last night why he is indeed a top player.

He is probably going to move on to Galatasaray, but I would like the club to offer a new contract to him.

His work rate is high and he passes the ball well. His speed adds an extra dimension to his qualities. He should have finished off his wonderful display with a goal.

3. The Bayern defense had an easier night than most European nights.

Philipp Lahm was very good, as usual.

However, Diego Contento really stuck out for me. His little tricks to get the ball to his colleagues were very enjoyable. He should maybe play in the final.

Holger Badstuber had a pretty good time as well.

4. Arjen Robben did his bit last night, but the away goals came from another supply this time around.

Ivica Olic scored a "perfect hat-trick" to take Bayern to the final in Madrid. He definitely deserves it.

He now has seven Champions League goals to his name this season, just one behind top scorer Lionel Messi.

Now, how many of you know that Bayern got him on a free transfer?

5. Lyon were poor—there is no two ways about it.

They had few chances and failed to capitalize on those.

The Bayern defence reacted a bit slowly at times but got away with it because of Lyon's failings.

Maybe next time, the French Football Federation will think twice about postponing a league match to allow teams to prepare for European nights.

6. Cris' sending off was unnecessary. Lyon was already in a dire situation—the referee made it even worse for them.

The outcome would have been no different though if Cris wasn't sent off.

Lyon was poor and didn't seem capable of scoring last night. They needed a few blasts from Kim Kallstrom, who wasn't in the lineup last night.

7. The Bayern players put in their maximum efforts. Even David Alaba and Miro Klose got involved after coming on.

Until the last second, Bayern seemed to want to score another goal and break the record for the largest win in the semifinals of the Champions League.

8. Bayern are yet not given the credit they should be given for making the Champions League final.

United were the favorites from that section and plenty of people seem to have a problem with the fact that Munich are into the final.

Last night, Andy Gray said that Bayern are beatable despite their convincing performance.

Of course they are beatable.

Even Barcelona is beatable, as Inter proved.

Sometimes, it would be good to hear some compliments for the phenomenal effort put in by this Bavarian side to get this far.

9. Bayern had a bit of luck in their journey to the final.

The "offside goal" in the second round was not exactly lucky though.

Fiorentina scored an offside goal in the second leg and this fact seemed to escape everybody, especially Andy Gray's mind.

In the group stages, they outclassed Juventus, and in the semis, they outclassed Lyon.

The only time they got slightly lucky was when Rafael was sent off in the second leg against United.

And even that red card was an absolutely justified one.

10. Bayern are in for the treble this year. They were in for the treble in 1999 and they ended up with only one trophy, the Bundesliga.

They ironically lost to Werder Bremen in the German Cup final, Bremen are their opponents this year. Bayern can celebrate, but they have to watch their step.

Before I end, UEFA have handed a three-match ban to Franck Ribery and Bayern have appealed the decision.

UEFA have accused Ribery of "assault" and Mr. Platini doesn't seem to be too happy with Lyon's exit.

Bayern play Vfl Bochum during the weekend.

They are ahead of Schalke in the Bundesliga due to a better goal difference. This is Bayern's second last match in the league this season.

I will end with a quote from Ivica Olic:

"I thought Manchester United was the game of my life, but the semifinal is a great big match too. The vital thing was playing as a team. It means you can enjoy it as a striker."