Moyes' side combines work rate with common sense to keep Bayern within sight

Nemanja Vidic’s header gave Manchester United the lead

The first leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarter finals between Manchester United and Bayern Munich ended in a 1-1 stalemate on an exciting night of football at Old Trafford.

Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup was a clear sign he expected to decide the match in midfield. Seven midfielders started for Bayern, including Javi Martinez who was deployed as a centre-back in place of the suspended Dante. The result was a classic Guardiola 4-6-0.

In employing this away against a side packed with Champions League veterans, however, the Bayern manager made an error, not least in judging his opponents’ ability to adapt. Bayern won the Bundesliga with over a month to spare, but in Europe they regularly struggle against English teams. Of the last 5 teams to beat them across all competitions, 3 are English – possibly a measure of their tenacity, or physical ability, or both.

Like AC Milan at home against Barcelona last season, Manchester United kept it simple: stay defensively cautious and work hard without the ball. Despite missing their first-choice full-backs, the home side dealt with Robben and Ribery fairly well because Jones and Buttner were shielded adequately by Giggs and Valencia. Ribery rarely received the ball in the final third, and when he did the tackling was clean, as opposed to the messy challenges that saw United concede three penalties at home to Liverpool.

Going forward, United were surprisingly reliant on the counter-attack. They’ve lacked pace of late – one of many shortcomings under Moyes – but tonight they showed rare efficiency in possession. In the last hour they frequently won the ball in their own half before Giggs or Carrick quickly launched it forward for Welbeck to run onto from his station on the left. Later, substitutes Kagawa and Hernandez broke with pace against the tiring Bayern midfield, drawing frequent fouls. A 61st minute stat sums up the efficiency of both sides: Possession 69-31 in favour of Bayern, score 1-0 to the home team.

Welbeck was United’s key player in attack, running directly at goal when he got the ball and forcing Boateng back. His defensive running, too, was crucial here against Lahm and Schweinsteiger. You often got the feeling Juan Mata would never have worked in this system, for lack of both pace and defensive work rate. As a second striker, Welbeck often draws comparisons to Emile Heskey for his high work rate and poor finishing. Tonight he justified both stereotypes to some extent with the ceaseless running and the missed chances, though to be fair his PL scoring record (9 goals) has been very good this season. He deserved a goal and was unfortunate to be denied one for a high boot.

Defending to the right, Javi Martinez looked uncomfortable in a high-line and struggled to cope with Welbeck and Kagawa, finally picking up a caution that rules him out of the 2nd leg. Martinez is an all-round footballer of incomparable pedigree – only Juventus’ Arturo Vidal matches his versatility – but tonight he was done in by raw pace.

Bastian Schweinsteiger scored a crucial away goal for Bayern Munich

Bayern didn’t test United’s physical acumen adequately. Against two slow CBs who are positionally suspect (especially Ferdinand), Guardiola could have brought on Mandzukic sooner, perhaps by half-time. The Croat is a tireless worker who can keep several defenders busy, while his aerial prowess is an added weapon. His presence also gave Bayern’s wingers a target for their crossing, and he provided the aerial assist for Schweinsteiger’s equalizer.

Moyes had done his homework this time, and did not try to match Bayern in midfield. This strategy was evocative of his Everton days, when his sides were defensive and extremely reactive. Against the most complete side in Europe, the need of the hour was a brick wall for Bayern’s limitless passing to crash into. That was precisely what United provided, largely with finesse.

Bayern lead the tie on away goals and remain favourites to win at home.