Bayern Munich secured a fifth consecutive Champions League semi-final appearance by battling past Benfica.<\/p>\n
The Portuguese side, trailing 1-0 from the first leg, gave themselves hope when Raul Jimenez headed them in front in the return tie at home.<\/p>\n
But Arturo Vidal thumped in a shot and Thomas Muller guided in a close-range effort to put the Germans in control.<\/p>\n
Talisca curled in a free-kick for Benfica after Javi Martinez escaped a red card before Bayern progressed.<\/p>\n
Bayern boss Pep Guardiola will join Manchester City this summer and the two clubs could meet in the last four when the draw is made on Friday.<\/p>\n
Vidal verve gives Bayern edge
\nVidal’s effort had given his side a slender lead going into the second leg in Lisbon and, after they went behind on the night against the run of play, he equalised with a vital away goal.<\/p>\n
The Chile midfielder, who helped Juventus to the final of the competition last season, is a powerful presence in midfield with his all-action style and gives the Bundesliga side an extra cutting edge.<\/p>\n
However, Vidal – along with Martinez, whose last-ditch tackle on Goncalo Guedes might have been viewed as a professional foul – can consider himself slightly fortunate he will not be suspended for the next round.<\/p>\n
Vidal was one booking away from missing his side’s next match and a late challenge on Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez could easily have seen him cautioned by referee Bjorn Kuipers.<\/p>\n
Benfica had less than 30% of possession in Lisbon, but Jimenez put them in front and could have quickly doubled their advantage and put them in front in the tie.<\/p>\n
He controlled a right-wing cross but could not get enough power on his close-range shot as Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer saved.<\/p>\n
Bayern’s goals then left the Portuguese side needing to add three more of their own, and that never really looked likely as they missed out on a first semi-final appearance since 1990.<\/p>\n
Manager reaction
\nBenfica boss Rui Vitoria: “We fought until the end, so I have to congratulate my players and these amazing supporters.<\/p>\n
“We faced a very powerful team that knows how to dictate the pace of the game. We promised we would go eye to eye with Bayern and we did so.”<\/p>\n
Bayern manager Pep Guardiola: “We played with a big personality. We remained composed and cool in the head even after falling a goal behind. We played very well.<\/p>\n
“Every team at this stage is very, very good. But reaching the semi-finals for a fifth time in a row is a big thing.”
\nWhat next?<\/p>\n
Bayern will aim to extend their seven-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga when they host Schalke on Saturday. Benfica have a two-point lead at the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga and are next in action on Monday, 18 April against Vitoria Setubal.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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