Bayern Munich advances in Champions League despite loss in Florence

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, despite a 3-2 loss against hosts Fiorentina, who lost 2-1 in the first leg in Munich last month.

Bayern advances despite the 4-4 aggregate scoreline, having scored more goals away from home than the Italians.

Fiorentina was two ahead after 54 minutes thanks to goals from Juan Vargas and Stevan Jovetic. Then, Bayern's Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel set off a string of outstanding goals around the one-hour mark, scoring to make it 2-1 on the night.

Moments later, Jovetic got his second of the match and restored Fiorentina's lead, but the Italians had hardly finished celebrating when Arjen Robben sealed victory for Bayern. 

Robben lashed in a superb 25-meter shot into the top-left corner, a strike that turned out to be the decisive goal.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Robben scored the decisive goal just a minute after Fiorentina's third

Goal controversy

Speaking to reporters after the game, Fiorentina president Andrea della Valle accused referee Tom Ovrebo of "collusion," in reference to a contentious goal by Bayern's Miroslav Klose in the Munich match.

"It's tough to go out after winning 3-2 even without thinking about the first leg," della Valle said. "But Florence can be proud of the way that Fiorentina played this evening."

Bayern midfielder Sebastian Schweinsteiger told Sky Italia it was a tough match, especially because of the strong winds, but that his team deserved its victory.

"We were clever to keep the ball on the ground," he said. "At the end of two legs we have shown ourselves to be stronger."

acb/dpa/AFP/AP/Reuters
Editor: Mark Hallam