Bayern Munich rediscover sense of adventure

Bayern Munich are dreaming of a fifth European Cup win after a rediscovered sense of adventure brought them a 2-1 victory over Juventus.

Bayern needed to atone for two dispiriting defeats by Juventus in the group phase of the Champions League last term, when they were punished by the Italians for nervous, overly defensive displays.

They came out with a different attitude on Tuesday, showing more aggression in midfield and more wit in attack to become the first side to beat Juventus all season.

"That was our best performance in the Champions League since we won it in 2001," club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

"It was very important because recently we've lost a lot of games against the big teams. It was great to have a stunning display against a team like Juventus.

"The result means we are all but through to the next phase and now we'll see. I think we're on the right road."

The German champions lead Group A with nine points from three matches, with the away fixture against second-placed Juventus next up on November 2.

On the strength of Tuesday's display they have every right to regard themselves among the favourites, even if form at this stage of the season is rarely a pointer to the eventual winners.

Juventus have started the defence of their Serie A title with seven straight wins but they found Bayern's new World Cup stadium an uncomfortable place from the beginning.

Bayern goalscorers Sebastian Deisler and Argentine midfielder Martin Demichelis were the pick of the players but Oliver Kahn, Michael Ballack and Lucio also played important roles in limiting the Juventus threat to the odd long shot.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic got a goal back in the final minute but by that stage Bayern should have been out of sight, with Roy Makaay's series of missed chances the night's only negative from the German side's point of view.

"This was a vital win in terms of our self-belief," said Kahn, the club captain.

"We deserved it, and only their late goal dampened the joy a little.

"We're Bayern and we want to win every competition we're in. That's normal - it's not arrogance.

"We're going to try and go as far as we can."