Bayern rally against Sevilla to take slim advantage back to Munich
Bayern Munich fought back to secure a 2-1 victory over Sevilla in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash to put one foot in the semi-final.
Many expected a cagey first fixture between the two European sides as they fight for a place in the next round of the prestigious club competition. However, that was far from the case in the opening half as both teams went on the attack looking to break the deadlock.
Thomas Muller's long-range effort went wide of the post before Pablo Sarabia came closet after pulling his curling effort inches from the target. Nonetheless, it would be the home side who would find the breakthrough and through Sarabia too.
In the 31st minute, Sergio Escudero broke free down the left wing and whipped in a cross to the far post, finding Sarabia who controlled the ball sublimely before dancing past a Bayern defender and firing his shot past Sven Ulreich and into the back of the net.
Sevilla's lead would last just six minutes though as Bayern fought back through Franck Ribery and a bit of bad luck for Vincenzo Montella's team.
James Rodriguez, who had just been brought on to replace an injured Arturo Vidal, cheekily played through a rushing Ribery in the left-side of the box.
The Frenchman went to cross the ball across the face of goal but it took a decisive deflection off Navas which wrong-footed the Sevilla goalkeeper David Soria, who then couldn't stop it from rolling into the back of the net.