Still on top
October 19, 2011
Bayern Munich maintained its dominance over Group A in the Champions League on Tuesday, after a 1-1 draw against hosts Napoli.
The Bavarians now have seven points, two more than their second-placed Italian rivals, with two home games out of three left.
Toni Kroos gave Bayern a flying start after just two minutes, as Jerome Boateng crossed from the right and Kroos ran into a gaping hole in the Napoli defense, controlled the ball and coolly slotted it past Morgan De Sanctis.
However, an own goal from Holger Badstuber pegged Bayern back - and put an end to goalie Manuel Neuer's 19-hour blocking streak.
The four-time winners had to regret not coming away victorious after Mario Gomez failed to convert a second-half penalty. That said, Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said he was happy with the draw.
"We went at Napoli at the start, controlled the game and stayed tight at the back. Napoli played with a lot of heart and I think they stand a good chance of qualifying too," he said.
Man City win
Napoli, which has not taken part in the Champions League since the days of Diego Maradona, won't be too pleased with Manchester City's last-gasp 2-1 win over Villarreal in Tuesday's other Group A fixture, as it means that the English premiership leaders are just a single point behind the Italians now.
Substitute Sergio Aguero scored in stoppage time to give Manchester City a 2-1 win at home to Villarreal.
The visitors had stunned the home crowd in the fourth minute when City goalkeeper Joe Hart could only parry Giuseppe Rossi's shot, sending the ball straight to the feet of Cani who slid it home. But in the 43rd minute, Villarreal defender Carlos Marchena accidentally put the ball past his own keeper.
The results put City on four points from three games, with Villarreal in last place with none.
On Wednesday, German champions Borussia Dortmund head to Greece to play Olmpiakos, while Bayer Leverkusen will play host to Valencia.
Author: David Levitz (AFP, AP, Reuters)
Editor: Nicole Goebel