2013 Champions League Final:
Bayern Munich defeat Borussia Dortmund 2-1
Man of the Match: Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben went from going goalless in the first 88 minutes of the game to the hero with his game winning goal in the 89th minute to give Bayern Munich a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Final.
In what was one of the most exciting games I've ever watched, this game was a tale of two halves. The first half featured Borussia Dortmund with many opportunities against Bayern Munich's goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, and the second half was all-Bayern Munich for the most part.
With the game nearing extra time, Robben was able to get past the Dortmund defense and strike the ball past Dortmund's goalkeeper, Roman Weidenfeller. Robben had many chances throughout the game, and due to his poor right foot, went scoreless until the 89th minute.
If not for his late goal, I would have labeled Robben as the scapegoat had Dortmund somehow won this game. Robben was everywhere for Bayern and had opportunity after opportunity before putting a little bit of finesse on the game winner.
In the 72nd minute of the game, Dortmund defender Neven Subotic made the play of the game. Subotic was able to save a possible goal from Thomas Muller after Muller had an open net strike. The shot would have put Munich back ahead 2-1 much earlier in the game, but Subotic was able to keep the game tied for a little bit longer.
Neuer only let up the one goal in the game as Ilkay Gundogan scored on a penalty kick in the 68th minute of the game. Bayern defender, Dante, gave up the penalty because of a stupid challenge against Dortmund's Marco Reus inside the 18 yard box. Gundogan was able to score the penalty kick rather easily as Neuer guessed the wrong side.
The scoring started in the 60th minute when Mario Mandzukic got on the board for Bayern Munich. While his goal was very huge for Bayern Munich, he should have scored multiple goals in today's game as he also like Robben had many opportunities. His goal was assisted by Robben after Robben was able to attract the attention of Weidenfeller and cross the ball to Mandzukic for the goal.
At the end of the first half I couldn't help but think that eventually the goals would start pouring in. Both teams were able to get many good looks throughout the first half, with each team's goalkeeper somehow keeping both teams from scoring.
Neuer and Weidenfeller had their hands full as Neuer was busy stopping Reus from putting the ball in the back of the net on many occasions while Weidenfeller had to deal with the same from Mandzukic and Robben.
With the game now over and the 2012-2013 European season coming to a close, it's almost time to start looking at next season. As good as Bayern Munich played this year behind manager Jupp Heynckes, the team will likely look better next season as they bring in Pep Guardiola who used to be coach of Barcelona a year ago.
Guardiola has already been given a lot of money to try and bring in new players for next year's squad, and with the already addition of Mario Gotze, I think Bayern Munich have to be the favorite for next year's Champion's League.
While Chelsea probably weren't the most deserving team of the championship last year, you can't argue that Bayern Munich weren't the best team in Europe at the end of this tournament.
