Rory Smith checks in at halftime:
Lyon, at least, can take solace that it has given a rather better account of its abilities than RB Leipzig did on Tuesday night. Only slim solace, though, because the outcome is just the same.
There is a pattern emerging from these semifinals — quite an obvious one, really, but still: clubs whose status dictates that they must be based around developing and selling young players cannot cope, head to head, toe to toe, with the teams who ultimately benefit from the development of those players.
Bayern has a star alumnus of Lyon’s academy, Corentin Tolisso, on the bench. He’s on the bench because he is not good enough to start, because being among the best players at Lyon is only enough to be one of many at Bayern. It is not quite that simple, of course, but as an illustration, it is.
In that context, Lyon has done well to make a game of it, crafting two good chances before Serge Gnabry’s first goal, and occasionally looking menacing before his second. That may be as much as it can hope to achieve, though, realistically. Bayern is one of Europe’s predators. Lyon has long been prey. That is the balance of their relationship, and that is the dynamic of the game.
HALFTIME
Bayern leads at the break and this feels familiar.
Bayern strolls off at the half with a 2-0 lead. That’s 10 goals in two games in Lisbon.
Lyon? They’re wondering what hit them. (Hint: It was Serge Gnabry, mostly.)
38’
That should have been three.
Gnabry with a tantalizing cross from the right narrowly misses the left post. Lewandowski could have turned it in with a simple touch, and he’s kicking himself for, well, not kicking the ball. Oops.
