Football Champions

Bayern Munich ralled for four straight goals at the Stadio Olimpico to upset Juventus Turin 4-1 and book an improbable advancement to the UEFA Champions League elimination round. The win completes a stunning turnaround for the Bavarian club, who appeared dead in the water in Group A just two matchdays ago. After losing 2-0 to Girondins Bordeaux at home on Nov. 3, Bayern sat third in the group a distant four points behind Juventus. But Juve's loss at Bordeaux Nov. 25, coupled with Bayern's slim victory over Maccabi Haifa, set the stage for today's turn of events.

David Trezeguet put the hosts up on 19 minutes before Bayern keeper Hans Joerg Butt converted a penalty to level matters. Amazingly considering he is a) a goalkeeper and b) has never played in Italy, it was the third time Butt scored against Juventus in his career. The prior two goals came in Champions League matches for Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg SV. At 1-1 Juventus still would have advanced, however. But the Germans came out firing in the second half and Ivica Olic but the guests up on 52 minutes. After Trezeguet missed from point blank range 15 minutes later, Mario Lopez Gomez doubled Bayern's lead on 83 minutes and effectively put the game to bed.

The victory is the fourth in succession for Louis van Gaal's side, who have now not lost in six matches dating to the Bordeaux game Nov. 3. Their domestic run is even more impressive, dating to a Sept. 26 home loss to Hamburg SV. Still, Bayern is just fourth in the Bundesliga, though only four points behind the leaders Leverkusen.

There will obviously be consequences in Soccer Source's Top 25 rankings, where Juve has held a top 10 spot most of the season while Bayern has taken up the rear (when they made the list at all).

Photo taken from torwart.de without permission.