Bayern join Liverpool, Roma & Madrid in semis despite failing to score at home

Bayern Munich avoided the pitfalls endured by some of their fellow European heavyweights as a goalless draw against 10-man Sevilla booked a place in the Champions League semi-finals.

Last week’s 2-1 comeback win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan proved enough as a spirited Sevilla were unable to respond with the away goals they needed.

Bayern wrapped up a sixth consecutive Bundesliga title with a 4-1 win at Augsburg on Saturday but this was a patient, workmanlike display with scant evidence of the thrills witnessed elsewhere in this week’s quarter-finals.

Sevilla enjoyed enough openings in the first half to make life uncomfortable for their illustrious hosts but lacked composure in front of goal.

Joaquin Correa’s header against the crossbar after half-time was the closest Manchester United’s conquerors came to a breakthrough, although the Argentina forward’s night ended in ignominy as he was set off for a horrible stoppage-time lunge on Javi Martinez.

Bayern closed out an aggregate victory that will not live long in the memory with little fuss, increasing their chances of an unforgettable triumph in Kiev at the end of May.

None shall pass #FCBSFC #packmas 0-0 pic.twitter.com/9NhB4yYPXM

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) April 11, 2018
James Rodriguez – so impressive from the Bayern bench in the first leg – grazed the top of the netting with a free-kick after Gabriel Mercado was a touch fortunate to see only yellow for hauling down Robert Lewandowski in the second minute.

Arjen Robben cut in off the right looking for one of his trademark left-footed finishes, skimming a shot past David Soria’s far post before the Sevilla goalkeeper tipped a Lewandowski header over.

At the other end, Sevilla winger Pablo Sarabia stole in front of Rafinha but blazed over, while Correa failed to make a clean contact from Jesus Navas’ 17th-minute cross.

Ever Banega, Wissam Ben Yedder and Correa combined for captain Sergio Escudero to steer a shot wide – another encouraging moment for the visitors who had been allowed to settle by an increasingly passive Bayern.

Centre-back Mats Hummels tried to rouse them by firing just over from Robben country, while the Dutch winger teed-up his old ally Franck Ribery to force a sharp save from Soria.

Navas made a goal-saving challenge at right-back when Thomas Muller slid a low ball towards Ribery at the back post, but a last-ditch tackle by Rafinha on Sarabia in the final minute of the half underlined Bayern’s continued unease.

Merci for your efforts tonight, Franck! #MiaSanMia #FCBSFC 0-0 pic.twitter.com/1EWvwQwJbd

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) April 11, 2018
Bayern’s best move of the match in the 49th minute ended with Lewandowski sending a back-post header from Rafinha’s chipped cross into the side-netting.

Soria saved with his boot when James tried to catch him out from a tight angle and the Sevilla goalkeeper punched unconvincingly from a Muller drive.

Just as Bayern looked to be turning the screw, Correa rose to thud a header against the crossbar from an excellent free-kick by Banega, the playmaker who then drove forward to zip a low strike narrowly wide.

Jupp Heynckes’ side were able to resume control of proceedings as Sevilla faded – a tired hack over from Steven N’Zonzi indicating there would be no repeat of the late Old Trafford drama long before Correa disgraced himself– and Bayern’s veteran coach remains in contention for a stunning repeat of his 2012-13 treble.

Key Opta Facts:

– Bayern Munich have reached their 11th Champions League semi-final; only Real Madrid (13) have got to this stage on more occasions.
– In fact, Bayern have got to the semi-final stage six times more than all other German sides put together (5).
– This is the first occasion since 2010 that only one Spanish side have reached the Champions League semi-finals, with the previous seven campaigns featuring exactly two.
– Bayern Munich are now unbeaten in 20 games in all competitions this season at Allianz Arena (W17 D3) – the only side in the Top 5 European Leagues to avoid defeat at home.
– Bayern failed to score at home in the Champions League for the first time since April 2014, with Sevilla stopping that 21-game streak.
– In fact, Sevilla are only the second side to avoid defeat against Bayern at the Allianz Arena in the last 22 Champions League games, with the other being Real Madrid last season, also at this stage (1-2).
– Sevilla have received three red cards in the Champions League in the last two campaigns, with their previous red also coming in the knockout stages against Leicester City last season.
– The Spanish side – who needed at least two goals to qualify for the semi-finals – failed to have a shot on target in the whole match.