Champions League round-up: Bayern crash to Stocker's late winner as Basle pull off another shock
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Your support makes all the difference.Having knocked out Manchester United before Christmas, Basle claimed another famous Champions League scalp when they beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in the first leg of their round of 16 tie at St Jakob-Park last night, substitute Valentin Stocker hitting the winner with four minutes to go.
Stocker was left unmarked to slot the ball between goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's legs in a match where neither defence covered itself in glory.
The first half was breathless, with both sides coming close and Basle twice hitting the woodwork. First, Alexsander Dragovic sent a firm header in on goal which hit Neuer on the forearm before coming off the inside of the post, with Holger Badstuber clearing off the line. Then Alexander Frei got between two defenders but his first-time left-footed shot hit the bar.
Bayern, who have stuttered in the Bundesliga since the winter break, were better in the second half, Mario Gomez going close. However, Stocker came off the bench and latched on to Jacques Zoua's threaded pass to earn the Swiss side another shock victory.
The Bayern coach, Jupp Heynckes, was unperturbed by Franck Ribéry's unhappy reaction to being taken off but admitted: "We took risks because we wanted to win the game."
In last night's other game, Internazionale, the winners two years ago, slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Marseilles, striker Andre Ayew heading in a corner deep in added time at the end of the second half to delight the home fans in Stade Vélodrome.
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