A Mario Gomez first-half hat-trick proved the difference for Bayern Munich's Champions League showdown against Napoli on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena.
The German international, whose goal-scoring record in 2011-12 has been positively spellbinding (19 from 17 matches, all competitions) sent his side to a 3-2 victory. That gave the Bavarians 10 points from four group stage matches, and with second-place Manchester City at seven points, and third-placed Napoli at five, you'd be hard-pressed to find pundits who would bet against Bayern sealing passage for the knockout round.
For Gomez, it was a night fueled with that fast-burning blend only catharsis can provide.
The striker had every reason to feel hard-done by, considering that he had not earned a nomination in FIFA's recently-released list of 23 for the prestigious Ballon d'Or, despite accruing one of the top return rates for any striker in Europe over the past year.
Not to be outdone by Gomez's misanthropy, there was another striker on the Allianz pitch who might have some choice words for the selection committee as well.
Edinson Cavani has been nothing short of sensational for Napoli over the past 12 months, providing a crucial component to their remarkable Serie A finish last season, which saw the Neopolitans seal automatic inclusion into this season's Champions League (duh, lol.)
The Uruguayan would not score on the night—Federico Fernandez got both strikes for his sky-blue clad side—but the No. 7 forward has already notched two strikes for Napoli in this season's Champions League campaign, picking right up where his illustrious turn of form in 2010-11 left off, when he bagged 26 goals to go with seven assists.
Munich had gleaned a vital point in the last round of games (also against Napoli) with a 1-1 draw. And starting with kick-off, Bayern were looking like a team who wanted victory.
Napoli were double-and triple-teaming Bayern winger Franck Ribery early, and largely frustrating the pacy Frenchman, who had been so impressive over the weekend in his side's 4-0 demolition of Nuremburg—even adding a goal in the 39th minute of that match.
But it was Gomez who stole the show in what became a master-class first-half lesson in finishing prowess. With the unique Bavarian symphony backing him—when on form, Bayern's direct, but technically fastidious approach to play takes on a beauty all its own—Gomez would equal, and then pass, the German scoring record in Champions League play.
His finishing was superb, his timing impeccable. Should he maintain this unfathomable goal-scoring run (which included a four-goal flourish against SC Freiburg back in August,) France Football magazine will be forced to include him in next year's nominee selection.
It goes without saying, actually, that Gomez should have had four on Wednesday night as well, with a wonderfully-worked Bayern passing movement begun by Ribery on the edge of the Napoli penalty area.
The Frenchman deftly poked the ball to his opposite winger Thomas Muller, then in close proximity. Muller then threaded a pass through to Gomez, whose poked effort scuttled just wide of the right-hand post.
In the 42nd minute, Munich would finally get their tapestry of a goal, with a flurried one-touch passing display eventually finding Toni Kroos on the left edge of the penalty area. Kroos proceeded to blast his shot off Napoli keeper Morgan de Sanctis, whose parried deflection fell into the path of the onrushing Gomez, who couldn't miss from six yards out, crashing his finish into the net.
The German had his hat-trick, and Bayern looked rampant.
The first half might best be summed up as a red-tinged storm, with the well-oiled Bayern machine pumping its way about the Napoli defense in its singular, concerted manner.
Napoli would not go down without a fight, however. Slack defending on a set-piece just before half-time allowed Fernandez to rise high and head home past Manuel Neuer. It was the first goal Bayern had conceded at the Allianz since early August against Borussia Monchengladbach, and Neuer seemed aware.
The German international No. 1 keeper was positively furious with his side's shoddy marking.
The Serie A side would unleash a torrential storm of their own in the second half, embarking upon a furious fight-back that seemed, for a length of time, sure to earn them at least a draw.
Napoli's considerable cadre of top players—Marik Hamsik, Cavani, and Ezequiel Lavezzi were all on top form in the second period, each providing his own unique blend of talent to the proceedings.
Hamsik's vision and howitzer of a shot, Cavani's deft technique and predatory nature in front of goal, and Lavezzi's trickery and guile on the wing all made appearances.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, who had been victim of a couple of uncustomary errors in the first half, was forced off early in the second with what was later diagnosed as a broken collarbone that will require surgery, ESPN reported. An initial prognosis listed Schweinsteiger as expected to miss four-six weeks to recovery.
Both sides saw players sent off in the second period, with Juan Zuniga (70') and Holger Badstuber (77') receiving their marching orders after drawing their second yellow cards on the night, both for mistimed tackles on breakaway wingers in their defensive thirds.
The second Fernandez goal made things interesting—once again, it came on a set piece, and once again, Bayerns defense was at fault.
Where the first header had come free off a collision between two Bavarians, Martin van Buyten didn't make enough of an effort in the air against Fernandez, an allotment of space the Napoli defender was all too happy to take advantage of. He headed in once more, this time a sublime looping header, and saw his side crawl back to within a goal.
Bayern endured nervy moments over the last 10 minutes, which saw Goran Pandev—the villain of last season's Round of 16, when the then-Inter man's last-gasp goal sealed victory on aggregate at the Allianz (3-3 after the two legs)—come on as a substitute.
It would be in vain, however, as Bayern showed the requisite mettle to see the match out at 3-2.
Should the Bavarians win their next CL encounter at home to Villarreal, they will be through to the knockout stages and one step closer on the winding path to the final, which coincidentally takes place...at the Allianz. Symmetric, no?
Franz Beckenbauer (club legend and frequent media sound byte on club-related news) and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (chief executive officer) must have appreciated the hard-earned victory, but they will certainly be wringing their hands in regards to Schweinsteiger's now-precarious condition.
Though by no means at his best for Munich on Wednesday night, the German international midfielder is a crucial cog in the Bayern machine. Six weeks without his impeccable delivery and unflappable composure in the center of the park could prove a long, long time indeed.
Reegie Corona Juan Miranda Colin Curtis Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson
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