Chapter 90 - Bayern Munchen (2)

Freddy threw the ball into the field. Rustan bounced the ball off with his feet. The ball was moving to Bennett. Schweinsteiger stretched out his foot for the ball from Bennett. The youngster pulled the ball and made the ball away from Schweinsteiger. Then, he provided a through ball into the penalty box.

To escape offside, the forward must have the same mind as the midfielder. With days of practice, Kazuki started to adapt to Bennett's gameplay. Therefore, when Bennett got rid of Schweinsteiger, he immediately looked for the best position. After Bennet officially sent the pass, Kazuki ran and escaped from Dante's guard. With the goalpost position on his side, Kazuki shot the ball with his left foot without looking at the goalpost itself.

Neuer's position was somewhat hindered by Jerome Boateng's body clinging to Kazuki's back, so he reacted slower than usual to Kazuki's kick. As a result, Southampton managed to equalize the score. The crowd looked surprised by the goal, but they immediately applauded. At first, they thought Bayern would absolutely dominate the game, but it looks like things are not as bad as they imagined. Southampton could still show resistance against Bayern Munchen's attack

After the goal, Bayern started the kick-off and the game continued. In Bayern Munich's tactics, attacks were not only initiated by Muller but also by their two wingers Trippery and Ruben. In the 14th minute, Ruben showed Benson, Ruben's superiority as a Bayern winger.

Ruben, who received the ball from Muller immediately penetrated forward. When Benson followed the movement, he used his left foot as a support and then kicked the ball, pulled the ball, and kicked it again to the side. In the blink of an eye, Ruben changed the direction of the ball from straight in a vertical line to horizontal toward the penalty box. The action was so fast that Benson was too late to react.

Ruben immediately brought the ball into the penalty box. Southampton's center-back came to defend, but Ruben again turned the ball vertically towards the goalpost. Then he gave a flat pass into the goalpost mouth. Phillips Zico slipped through the net, he sent a low shot to trick the keeper. However, the Southampton goalkeeper's feet was able to block Zico's kick. Freddy, who got the bounced ball, immediately threw the ball out of the field.

The attack clearly set the alarm for Southampton's defense. Ruben's ability and Zico's movement made the Southampton players realize that all Bayern Munich forwards had their strengths, and they were able to carry out their strengths to the best of their ability, so it is very difficult for Southampton to predict what kind of attack Bayern will do.

The match resumed. Southampton and Bayern Munich were still looking for their second goal. Southampton was not completely defensive, they were also fighting in midfield for control of the game. The battle in the midfield was certainly dominated by Bayern Munich, but at least Southampton could still show some resistance.

In the 23rd minute, Ryan dribbled the ball quickly from the left. When Phillips Ram tried to tackle him, Ryan pulled the ball back and spun around to avoid Ram. He continued to carry the ball quickly, but Martinez did a body charge that made him sway. Before Martinez took the ball from his feet, Ryan replied to Martinez with a body charge too. Then he pushed the ball with his feet.

It's a shame the ball was managed to get by Bayern Munich center-back Jerome Boateng. The center-back provided the pass far forward. Bayern Munich players immediately moved together to counterattack. Muller received the ball with his chest and gave the ball to Schweinsteiger. The Bayern Munich defensive midfielder gave the ball to Bayern Munich left-back, David Alaba, who rose to help the attack.

David Alaba and Frank Trippier made a one-two to send David Alaba past Southampton right-back Freddy. He then provided a cross into the middle of the penalty box. Zico jumped higher than the two Southampton center-backs. With ease, he broke into Southampton's goalpost.

Bayern's second goal put the German club one goal ahead of Southampton. The game continued after the goal has occurred. Southampton as usual tried to get their chance as long as the opportunity arose. But Bayern was controlling the ball quietly. Bayern's overall individual ability was far above Southampton.

In the 32nd minute, Southampton got a good chance. Freddy managed to steal the ball from Frank Trippery's feet. Freddy then dribbled the ball and started Southampton's counterattack. He carried the ball across the halfway line. Then, he crossed the ball to the front of Kazuki from a long distance.

Kazuki accelerated his running ability, then he received the ball with the outside of his left foot. Facing Neuer alone, Kazuki kicked the ball strongly towards the right. However, Neuer managed to guess the direction correctly. The ball bounced to the left. Ryan appeared and snatched the ball, after that, he poked the ball into the middle of the field. Kazuki adjusted his position, then he did an overhead kick. His right foot kicked the ball into the corner.

Neuer unexpectedly returned to save the net for the second time. The ball bounced to the front of the penalty box, Wright-Phillips kicked the ball from outside the penalty box. The ball flew towards the Bayern goalpost for the third time. This time, Jerome Boateng headed the ball off the field.

Southampton failed to take advantage of three opportunities in a row. This made the Southampton players surprised and shocked at the same time. They did not expect Bayern to defend well. Especially Kazuki, he didn't expect his two shots in succession to be blocked by Neuer.

Despite surviving Southampton's counterattack, Bayern Munich also began to be wary of Southampton's counterattack. Southampton clearly had a chance to equalize or even turn things around. However, there was still plenty of time left.

In the 38th minute, Bayern got a free kick in front of the penalty box. Southampton's players lined up and became a living fence. Martinez will be the one to execute the free-kick. The referee blew the whistle and Martinez kicked the ball slowly. The ball passed the Southampton players and fell a few yards from the goalkeeper. Muller moved earlier than the others, he then kicked the ball into the Southampton net.

Bayern Munich scored again for the third time. The spectators who had thought that Southampton could show resistance against Bayern felt disappointed. Bayern was too great for Southampton, all the audience accepted it. Now, they did not have high expectations of Southampton.

After the goal, the Southampton players fought hard to get the second goal. They were continuing to press Bayern Munich while waiting for the opportunity to come. But unfortunately, until the end of the first half, the score was still 3-1 to Bayern Munich's advantage.. The first half ended, and Bayern took the lead over Southampton, as most had predicted.