Bayern Hold On In Bucharest

Steaua Bucureşti 0-1 Bayern München

Jurgen Klinsmann's Bayern Munich travelled to Romania looking to kick-start their season and return to Champions League action with a bang.

However, they ventured into the Stadionul Ghencea to take on Steaua Bucureşti without Franck Ribery, Hamit Altintopor or Willy Sagnol.

First Half

After a cagey start, the hosts tested Michael Rensing on ten minutes when Dayro Moreno's long-range effort had to be smothered.

That attempt aside, though, the Militarii were content to sit back and soak up the inevitable German pressure. However, they didn't hold out for long, for the Bavarian giants would take the lead on 15 minutes.

Bastian Schweinsteiger spun a perfect free-kick into the area and stopper Daniel Van Buyten was able to find enough space to glance a header past despairing 'keeper Robinson Zapata.

With Lyon and Fiorentina lying in wait in a tricky group, Klinsmann would be hoping that the floodgates would start to creak open.

It was Marius Lăcătuş, though, who instructed his troops to push on in search of an equaliser. He must have been Lovin it when the midfielder stung the hands of Rensing with another long-bomb. The rebound fell to Antonio Semedo, who could only ripple the side netting.

And Rensing was in the firing line again on the half-hour mark. The overworked goalie sensationally booted Moreno's effort off his own post in a most un-Kahn-like moment.

After that near-howler, Die Roten decided that clear daylight before the interval would be useful and went ridiculously Klose when Miroslav's cross was diverted towards goal by Luca Toni.

The inspired Zapata made a great save and made another one from Schweinsteiger's subsequent long-range piledriver.

Thus the half ended, with Bayern just about value for their narrow lead. By now the rain was lashing down and a tough shift awaited the losing Roş-Albaştrii after the break.

Second Half

Magica Steaua, though, flew out of the traps from the restart and set about their more illustrious visitors with renewed verve.

First, Szekely's long-range effort was turned wide by Rensing.

Then, after an incisive breakaway, an offside-looking Arturo Bernhardt finally did beat Rensing, only to see his effort strike the post.

Currently less-than-prolific Italian forward Toni could have finally put plucky Steaua to bed, but he couldn't beat the impressive Zapata after racing into a one-on-one situation. He should have done better, but fired straight at the goalie.

Lukas Podolski was brought on as a half-time sub, but couldn't make the kind of impact a nervous-looking Klinsmann would have been looking for.

With 15 minutes remaining, Steaua had yet another golden opportunity. They had little problem fashioning great chances in the second half, a fact which will encourage the boss.

This time, they actually had the ball in the back of the net. Rensing, having a mare in the rain by this point, spilled Moreno's effort, but Stancu's point-blank finish was flagged offside and the Bundesliga side were let off the hook once more.

Moreno was always keen to shoot, but his tired late effort was eagerly scooped up by a beleaguered Rensing.

Although four minutes of stoppage tie were indicated, the second half effort in tough conditions had taken it out of the hosts and so it finished.

Der FCB, then, held out for three crucial away points.

Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com

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