Late goals by Miroslav Klose and youngster Toni Kroos have helped Bayern start the UEFA Cup group phase competition with an away win over a heart broken Red Star outfit. The Serbian side have put on what was without any reasonable doubt their best performance of the season and have taken the lead twice after fine individual goals by captain Koroman and midfielder Milijash. But the Germans did not feel like starting the group phase with a failure, and double scorer Klose has put the visitors level on two occasions before youngster Kroos scored a fluke injury time winner. The encounter was of much lower pace than the final score might suggest, but the exceptional finishing and some comical defending by the home players allowed their fans to see five goals but eventually condemned them to a defeat.

Red Star, who had a full squad available, have started the match in an expected 4-5-1 formation, but the club officials have met pre match criticism for not keeping their promise of improving the pitch condition ahead of the Bavarians' visit. On the other side, the Bundesliga leaders have entered the match without several important players, such as summer signings and stars Ribery and Toni as well as the walking legend Oliver Kahn, but have welcomed back right back Lahm from injury, although the German international seemed below his best, as Red Star captain Koroman was causing him constant troubles throughout the match.

In a cautious and cagey affair, the home side have taken the lead after 16 minutes after a fine solo move by captain Koroman, who made a fantastic run down the left and found an opening, sending the ball pass his marker Lahm and the outstretched Rensing. But the visitors needed only four minutes to respond, with Klose being on the right place the direct the ball into the empty net after Randjelovic could only deflect a long shot by Lucio - although the home defence deserved criticism for not attempting to block the Brazilian. The game once again lost pace after the equalizer, with none of the teams creating clear cut chances but Red Star showing a bit more attacking desire and flair than the visitors. And the hard work of the home players payed off in the 74th minute when midfielder Milijash sent a goalbound shot from over 30 meters and saw his attempt bounce off the ground and go pass Rensing. The visitors have pushed forward in search for an equalizer, but have rarely looked like scoring before some terrible man marking allowed Klose to head home a free kick by Kroos from short range. The game seemed like destined to end in a draw before the dramatic finale - substitute Bajalica got two yellow cards for needless fouls in short succession, and Bayern have scored the winner from the free kick that came after his second foul. Youngster Kroos sent a low cross into the area, but some comical coordination of the home players as well as the lack of reaction of keeper Randjelovic allowed the ball to hit the back of the net and bring Bayern a fortunate win.

Having lead the game twice and rarely looking like the second best team on the field, Red Star will certainly feel they've deserved more, but they've made two big defensive mistakes, which is something that can't be tolerated against a team of Bayern's class. On the other side, the Germans are now in pole position to fulfill the expectations and win the group, as two wins on the Allianz Arena should be enough to wrap things up for them.