Own goal winners
October 20, 2010
Bayern Munich emerged as the winners in their soccer showdown with opponents CFR Cluj, courtesy of two own goals from the Romanian visitors.
Cluj took the lead in the 28th minute through defender Cadu, who headed in a free-kick from Italian midfielder Roberto de Zerbi at the far post.
However, the Portuguese defender's glory was short-lived when, on 32 minutes, he deflected a shot from Bayern's Toni Kroos into the net to score an own goal.
Just six minutes later, Cluj's Cristian Panin put a Bayern corner kick into his net for another own goal, giving the Bavarians the lead.
Although Cluj almost scored ahead of half-time through Ivory Coast forward Lacina Traore, Bayern finished the first half in the lead.
Bayern's Mario Gomez added to the score line, stabbing a shot past Cluj keeper Eduard Stancioiu on 77 minutes.
Bayern hold on, despite pressure
Although Cluj piled on the pressure with Argentinian midfielder Juan Culio beating the defense to pull a goal back on 86 minutes, Bayern held on for the win.
"Today, we can be thankful for all three goals, it was a very strange game," said Gomez.
The victory was a relief for an injury-hit Bayern side, currently standing at 10th place in the Bundesliga.
"We haven't had much luck this season, but we had a fair bit of it today," said Bayern coach Louis van Gaal.
Bayern now lead Group E with nine points out of three matches while Cluj, along with Roma and Basel, have three points.
In Wednesday's Champions League group stage games, Bundesliga side Schalke take on Hapoel Tel Aviv at home, while Werder Bremen are away against Dutch side FC Twente.
Author: Richard Connor (Reuters, dpa, AFP)
Editor: Matt Zuvela