Aberdeen performed heroically at Pittodrie to hold Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw in the Uefa Cup.
Aberdeen are still in with a chance of making the last 16
Aberdeen performed heroically at Pittodrie to hold Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw in the Uefa Cup.
Aware that they had to take the game to their more illustrious opponents, Aberdeen began brightly and were able to take heart from a couple of early chances.
Then on 24 minutes after good work on the edge of the box from Omatsone Aluko, Josh Walker fired the Dons into a shock lead. Breaking onto the winger's knock down Walker stroked the ball delightfully into the bottom right-hand corner from the edge of the box.
They were ahead for just five minutes though, when a long ball from Lucio was flicked on by Luca Toni for Miroslav Klose to smash the Germans level.
However, the Dons remained unfazed and continued to push forward before grabbing a second four minutes before the break.
Lee Miller touched a long Jamie Langfield clearance on to Aluko and the winger showed great touch and composure before firing a low drive under a helpless Michael Rensing.
Aberdeen seemed prepared after the break to put men behind the ball and try and keep hold of what they had, but 10 minutes into the second period Bayern were level.
Ze Roberto found space on the left and his cross was adjudged to have struck the arm of Alan Maybury forcing referee Eduardo Gonzalez to point to the spot.
Langfield saved Hamit Altintop's initial penalty, but the winger was first to react to the rebound and as a result was able to poke the ball home at the second attempt.
Bayern enjoyed most of the possession for the rest of the game but were unable to find a way through, meaning the Dons still have hope going into the second leg at the Allianz Arena next week.
Reward
Zander Diamond cleared Altintop's weak effort off the line early on but the Dons started positively, with Bayern troubled by direct runs from Aluko and Darren Mackie, who partnered Miller up front.
Langfield palmed away Christian Lell's powerful 30-yard strike and Mair atoned for a shaky start with a timely sliding tackle to rob Ze Roberto after the Brazilian had cut through the middle.
Aberdeen's promising start was rewarded when they stunned the Bundesliga leaders with a 24th-minute opener crafted by the two on loan teenagers.
Aluko held up a high ball before laying it off to Walker, and the 18-year-old Middlesbrough reserve curled a superb shot into the corner from more than 20 yards.
Simple
Klose shot over from Altintop's low cross and Bayern escaped another penalty appeal when Marcell Jansen appeared to handle under pressure from Mackie.
But Klose made amends with a simple equaliser in the 29th minute as he found the top corner following Toni's head-on.
Some slack defending handed the prolific German another opportunity but Langfield blocked his stab at goal from 12 yards.
The favourites had clearly been stung by Aberdeen's audacity and Ze Roberto waltzed into the box before slicing wide and Klose volleyed just over after a clever run.
History
Just as Bayern appeared to have taken a grip of proceedings, the Dons regained the lead in the 41st minute.
Miller's deft flick released Aluko and he drilled the ball underneath Michael Rensing, who had stepped in after an ill Oliver Kahn had flown home without leaving the plane.
Ze Roberto's cross struck the hand of Maybury a few yards away, and Gonzalez's consistency came into question when he pointed to the spot.
Langfield saved Altintop's penalty but the Turkey midfielder was first to the rebound to net a 55th-minute leveller.
Tight
The second half was proving tighter but Toni failed to divert Altintop's scuffed shot inside the far post.
Steve Lovell replaced Mackie midway through the second half as Aberdeen tried to regain their attacking edge. The Dons improved their possession but some slack passing in their own half allowed Bayern sub Lukas Podolski a shot, which Langfield did well to hold.
Toni was almost presented with a late chance to win it when Diamond stepped on the ball as he intercepted Altintop's cross but Langfield dived at the Italian's feet to smother.
The Germans will remain clear favourites to proceed to the last 16 next week but the 20,047 crowd hailed Aberdeen at the end of another memorable European night in the Granite City.
