Arjen Robben may have been Bayern Munich's Champions League saviour once more but he was still forced to issue an apology following the 1-0 win in the first leg of their semi-final tie against Lyon.
Robben, whose goals against Fiorentina and Manchester United enabled the Bavarians to advance to the last four, netted the only goal at the Allianz Arena but then fell foul of coach Louis van Gaal by reacting petulantly to his late withdrawal.
The two Dutchmen had a face-to-face confrontation on the touchline as Robben ignored Van Gaal's outstretched hand.
The former Holland boss blocked his countryman and held him firmly while explaining his reasons for bringing him off.
Robben admitted afterwards his reaction was born of frustration.
"I had a really good feeling and felt I was really in the game and I could have scored another goal," said the former Real Madrid man.
"Therefore, I could not understand why I was being removed.
"But I have got to apologise to all of the fans because I shouldn't do that. I should have been more professional, but this is just part of my mentality - I always want to win."
Van Gaal insisted Robben had been taken off to preserve him for the weekend Bundesliga clash against Borussia Monchengladbach.
"We need him to score goals for us in Monchengladbach too," he said.
The spat was a downside on a good night for Bayern, although they may regret not pressing home their advantage when the contest became 10 versus 10 following Jeremy Toulalan's red card at the start of the second half.
Toulalan followed Bayern's Franck Ribery in being sent off, the France international dismissed for a 37th-minute lunge on Lisandro Lopez.
Lisandro spent several minutes on the ground with the home fans believing the Argentinian's behaviour had influenced referee Roberto Rosetti's thinking.
But Lyon coach Claude Puel denied his player was playacting.
"If there are players who have taken blows, then I am sorry but, if they are in pain, they cannot simply stand up again," he said.
"There was no cinema on our part. You have got to respect the players."
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge thanked his club's fans for making it a particularly memorable occasion.
The teams emerged in the Allianz Arena to a sea of red and white with the words "we can do it" emblazoned across the stand opposite the players' tunnel and the club's emblem occupying the entire stand to the players' right.
The fans then backed their team from start to finish as they lifted them to the brink of their first Champions League final since 2001.
"It was absolutely incredible from all of the FC Bayern fans," said Rummenigge.
"They played their part in making this win possible."
