An early goal from Daniel Van Buyten helped Bayern Munich to a 1-0 win at Steaua Bucharest in their Champions League Group F match yesterday.

Van Buyten headed home the winner in the 15th minute following a free-kick from Bastian Schweinsteiger.

"We should have scored one more goal but I have to admit we were lucky in the second half," Bayern Munich coach Juergen Klinsmann said.

Bayern's manager Uli Hoeness added: "We were better organised and this is why we won."

Steaua's Colombian playmaker Dayro Moreno angled in a powerful 30-metre shot during the first half but visiting keeper Michael Rensing deflected the ball with his right foot.

Bayern responded with a close-range header by Luca Toni and a powerful volley by Ze Roberto from outside the area but were denied both times thanks to Steaua keeper Robinson Zapata's fine reflexes.

"We started the match too prudently and we got a goal from a dead ball," Steaua Bucharest coach Marius Lacatus said. "In the second half, we were unlucky in front of a very strong team."

Zapata skills in front of goal spared Steaua from suffering a heavier defeat as the Colombian pulled off at least four good saves.

In the second half, Bayern seemed more keen to protect their lead and waited for Steaua to make a mistake.

The Romanian team piled on the pressure and Brazilian striker Arthur Bernhardt hit the post.

Bayern missed French international playmaker Franck Ribery, who was still recovering from an ankle problem, while Steaua Bucharest were without captain Mirel Radoi, who was injured during Romania's World Cup qualifier against Faroe Islands last week.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily September 18, 2008)