Bayern and Barcelona were the only two teams left with perfect records in their national leagues and European competitions this season.
And Barca had arguably the tougher match, having to take on Benfica.
But it turns out BATE Borisov actually knew how to take on their much-more-decorated opponent way better than the Portuguese runners-up. (I always said Jorge Jesus is not a very good coach, in my opinion. But Viktor Goncharenko, the Belarussian coach, on the other hand... Bravo to him!)
BATE had a very simple tactic, actually. But effective, and smart. Sit back, soak up the pressure, then try to hit fast and strongly on the counter-attack. And everything worked out perfectly. Bayern even wasted a huge opportunity to take the lead, at 0-0, when Kroos was left alone with the empty net but could only hit the post.
(Little did Kroos know at that moment, but he actually lost the match for Bayern, right there. Doesn't look too concerned in the highlights, does he? But he should have been.)
What is most impressive about this win, aside from the perceived difference in quality between the two sides, is that, after Bayern scored, BATE somehow found the resources and the power to score a third and put Bayern in their place again.
Now, that's a team!
BATE is not yet past the group stage, but they are sitting very nicely.
(Their fans must be going crazy with pride, in Belarus.)
Next, Bayern will have to try to do better against lowly Lille, while BATE will see what they can do against Valencia, again at home. That will be a trip from almost one end of Europe to the opposing end of Europe, diagonally, by the way. But that won't be the most worrying thing for the Valencia squad, after this BATE match.
Highlights:
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