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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Bayern Munich v Man City, Champions League

Bayern Munich took on Man City in what was a tight, tense affair.

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Keep up to date with all tonight’s Champions League action here

Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

Here are the starting XIs…

BAYERN: Neuer, Alonso, Benatia, Lewandowski, Rafinha, Boateng, Bernat, Gotze, Lahm, Muller, Alaba.

MAN CITY: Hart, Sagna, Demichelis, Kompany, Clichy, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Navas, Silva, Nasri, Dzeko.

And the teams for Chelsea v Schalke…

CHELSEA: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Ramires, Willian, Hazard; Drogba.

SCHALKE: Fahrmann, Hoger, Ayhan, Neustadter, Fuchs, Boateng, Aogo, Sam, Meyer, Draxler, Huntelaar.

Bayern, of course, have already played Man City a couple of times in the Champions League.

Last season, City even managed a surprise win in Germany.

FútbolHD2 / YouTube

We’re underway…

1 min - Thomas Muller rounds the goalkeeper straight away but can only find the side netting with his subsequent attempt.

Hart appeared to impede Muller during that incident, but the German international did the England goalkeeper a big favour by staying on his feet.

RTE’s George Hamilton got a bit ahead of himself during that missed Muller chance.

8 mins: Bayern are well on top during these opening stages.

They have had the majority of possession and territory, but just the one clear-cut chance thus far.

13 mins: Lewandowski looks up for this game tonight.

He turns consummately past Demichelis, but he then takes a heavy touch that allows the City defence to recover before the Polish striker can get a shot in.

16 mins: Benatia is forced to make a good recovery tackle after he lets David Silva get in behind him.

It’s been a very entertaining game to watch so far.

18 mins: A fantastic reflex save from Joe Hart prevents Muller’s powerful header from going in.

Shortly thereafter, City give the ball away needlessly in a dangerous area, but the through pass to Muller is overhit.

The Premier League champions are looking very nervy at the moment.

20 mins: A good effort from distance by Dzeko flies just wide of Neuer’s post.

Famous last words I know, but this game doesn’t look like it’ll end 0-0.

29 mins: Alaba shoots just wide as Bayern go close again.

Sooner or later all this pressure has to tell, surely.

As I type, the ball falls to Alaba on the edge of the box and Hart is forced to make yet another save.

Another miss as Lewandowski partially takes the ball round Hart, but like Muller in the opening minute, he can only find the side netting.

Great football from Bayern in the build-up though. City can’t handle them at the moment.

40 mins: As dominant as Bayern have been, City have looked dangerous on the counter-attack at times, so there is some hope for Pellegrini’s side.

Dzeko is currently receiving treatment, after getting a knock on the back, but he looks alright to continue.

44 mins: Kompany is booked for a cynical challenge on Muller.

The Belgian international will probably feel it was worth it, as he took the momentum out of what was a threatening Bayern attack.

HALF-TIME: BAYERN 0-0 MAN CITY

So an entertaining first-half ends scoreless.

Bayern probably deserve to be ahead but have found Joe Hart in excellent form, while both Muller and Lewandowski have missed gilt-edged chances.

Meanwhile, City have occasionally threatened on the counter-attack, but all things considered, they’ll be happy to be going in level at the break.

Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Bayern Munich v Manchester City - Allianz Arena EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

(Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze and Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko battle for the ball)

Eamon Dunphy is expressing reservations about Yaya Toure who, he infers, tends to do it “against the little teams in England”.

The second half has begun…

48 mins: It’s been a slightly more low-key opening to the second half, certainly compared to the panic-ridden way in which the City defence started the first.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are looking far more solid at the start of the second period.

51 mins: Lahm drags a shot wide after some more good Bayern passing.

It’s their first real attempt of the second half and they look in need of inspiration. Perhaps it can provided from the bench, with Arjen Robben currently warming up.

54 mins: More danger, as Gotze finds space inside the box, but Hart gets down to make a save for the umpteenth time tonight.

Perennial substitute James Milner is about to come on, ostensibly to bolster City defensively.

59 mins: Hart completely misses a cross, but redeems himself by saving Bernat’s subsequent shot.

Meanwhile, Milner has replaced Nasri for City.

61 mins: Great chance for Silva, who meets Navas’ inch-perfect cross but steers his header just wide.

It’s a reminder that Bayern can’t afford to get too lax down their end of the field.

67 mins: For the second time in recent minutes, Muller has hammered an attempt aimlessly over.

Bayern have gotten worse as this game’s progressed, despite continuing to dominate possession.

70 mins: Hart flaps at a straightforward Rafinha shot before Muller is adjudged offside in the follow up.

The England goalkeeper has looked increasingly nervy of late.

74 mins: Aguero has replaced Dzeko, while there’s a big cheer as Robben comes on for Muller.

Bayern are continuing to have much of the play without looking likely to score.

Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group E - Bayern Munich v Manchester City - Allianz Arena EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

Yaya Toure has found an unconventional way of stopping David Alaba.

79 mins: Robben goes down theatrically in the box amid cries for a Bayern penalty.

There was contact from the defender, but arguably not enough for a penalty.

85 mins: Dante replaces Benatia — not exactly the kind of substitution that will fill Bayern fans with hope of a goal.

Five minutes of normal time remain.

Another good save from Hart following Boateng’s powerful drive from distance.

The pressure is mounting…

GOAL FOR BAYERN!

Bayern 1-0 Man City (Boateng 89)

The ex-City defender comes back to haunt his former club.

Following a scramble in the box, Boateng’s shot deflects off Gotze and finds the back of the net.

FULL-TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 MAN CITY

Here’s the goal that’s won the game for Bayern.

So that’s that. Bayern break City hearts in the dying moments.

It was probably deserved. The Germans dominated possession and had the much better chances, and the game could have been long over were it not for some excellent saves by Joe Hart.

City defended manfully, but didn’t offer much in attack, and will perhaps rue clearly trying to hang on for the 0-0 ultimately.

Meanwhile, there’s lots of anger in the RTÉ studio about Yaya Toure “laughing on the touchline” with Pep Guardiola after the game.

Right, that’s it from me.

Thanks for reading and commenting, and commiserations if you happen to be a Man City fan.

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