BATE Borisov have produced the surprise of the Champions League campaign thus far by beating four-time winners Bayern Munich tonight in their Group F clash in Minsk.
The match was moved to the Belarusian capital after it was decided that BATE's 18,000-capacity stadium was not fit to host a match in Europe's elite competition.
Despite not having actual home advantage, BATE took the lead courtesy of Aleksandr Pavlov, who converted from Aliaksandr Volodko's pass on 23 minutes.
Thomas Muller came close to an immediate equaliser, but his header from Frank Ribery's cross was well saved by BATE keeper Andrey Gorbunov.
Munich top-scorer Mario Mandzukic also nearly levelled the scores in the first period, while Luis Gustavo and Brazilian defender Dante wasted good chances to earn the German giants parity in the second.
Instead it was BATE's Vitali Rodionov who next found the net with a fine finish into the top corner on 78 minutes.
Ribery gave Bayern hope of a late comeback but with an stoppage-time effort but Renan Bressan made it 3-1 to BATE with a counter-attack goal as BATE recorded their first ever home win in the competition.
Joe Fish
