19 October 2006, by Tom Kundert

Sporting undone by Schweinsteiger rocket

Sporting 0-1 Bayern Munich

Sporting fell to a single goal defeat at home to Bayern Munich last night. Paulo Bento’s team paid a heavy price for a poor opening 20 minutes during which time Schweinsteiger scored with a scorching 30-metre shot.

The home team proceeded to dictate the rest of the match, but were unable to turn their domination into goals despite playing most of the second half against ten men against the physically intimidating Bayern.

"The result is not justified for the way we played" - Paulo Bento

Bayern midfielder Schweinsteiger, who had beaten Ricardo twice from long range in the Germany World Cup, was the first player to threaten with a powerful shot from outside the box in the 8th minute that the Portugal goalkeeper punched clear.

Two minutes later Sporting had a lucky escape as some neat play by the Germans ended with a shot from the edge of the box that Ricardo did well to keep out, but pushed into the path of Pizarro. The Peruvian seemed certain to score but was tugged to the ground by Caneira for a clear penalty. Fortunately for Sporting, the referee failed to spot the offence.

Santa Cruz then headed over the bar as Bayern created chances with disconcerting ease. It was therefore no surprise when the German champions took the lead, with Sporting’s midfield failing to close down Schweinsteiger, who found the net with a superb shot.

On 24 minutes Sporting at last created problems for the opposition defence when Carlos Martins dribbled into the box and shot dangerously across the face of the goal to lift the crowd.

Liedson goes close

Sporting responded positively and an excellent snapshot by Liedson forced Khan into a sharp diving save. More good play by Martins resulted in a cross that Alecsandro got on the end of, only to direct his header straight at Khan.

Polga then came close with a header as Sporting piled on the pressure, but Bayern managed to hold on to their lead until the break.

Paulo Bento brought on Djalo for Carlos Martins for the second half and the speedy striker had an immediate effect when he was stopped in his tracks by a Schweinsteiger foul, and the goalscorer was shown his second yellow card and subsequent red.

Tello forced Khan into action in the 55th minute with a powerful shot from distance, then central defender Polga, who has never scored for Sporting in his three years at the club, hit a fine shot from the edge of the box that struck the post.

Despite playing against ten men, Sporting were finding it increasingly difficult to carve out chances as Bayern’s experienced players slowed the game down at every opportunity.

Sporting were largely restricted to long-range efforts from Tello, Moutinho and Paredes, and a couple of good Djalo runs, all of which however ended in tame efforts.

The defeat leaves Sporting needing to pick up points in their next two daunting trips to Bayern and Inter Milan, but the Lisbon club will still be hopeful of qualification and remain in second place in Group B.

PortuGOAL man of the match: Polga
The Brazilian central defender has been in outstanding form this season, and another solid performance was almost crowned with an equalising goal.

Sporting:
Ricardo, Caneira, Tonel, Polga, Tello, Miguel Veloso (Paredes, 70), Carlos Martins (Yannick Djalo, 46), Moutinho, Nana, Alecsandro (Carlos Buenos, 57), Liedson
Yellow Cards: Tello (45), Liedson (49), Miguel Veloso (68)

Bayern Munich:
Oliver Kahn, Sagnol, Lucio, Van Buyten, Lahm, Van Bommel, Ottl (Demichelis, 46), Schweinsteiger, Podolski (dos Santos, 65), Santa Cruz (Salihamidzic, 50), Pizarro
Yellow Cards: Schweinsteiger (25 & 47), Ottl (28), Van Bommel (75), dos Santos (84)
Red Card: Schweinsteiger, 47

Goals:
[0-1] Schweinsteiger, 19