First defeat of the season
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No longer unbeaten, no longer leaders – and a serious new mistake: FC Bayern suffered its first defeat of the season in the Champions League and had to accept the bitter end of its own super series. After 18 games without defeat, the Munich team lost 1:3 (1:1) at FC Arsenal and gave up the top spot in the league phase of the premier class to the Londoners.
Jurriën Timber (22nd minute), Noni Madueke (69th) and Gabriel Martinelli (76th) scored for the hosts, who earned the win with an improvement in their performance in the second half. Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer got far out of his goal before conceding the third goal, but missed the ball with serious consequences. Martinelli had free rein. The 17-year-old Lennart Karl (32nd) managed to equalize.
Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen had announced Arsenal as a “real board”. The Londoners are confidently leading the domestic Premier League and started the Champions League just as perfectly as Bayern with four wins. The Gunners welcomed the German record champions with corresponding confidence, who found it difficult to get into the game.
In the English drizzle, Arsenal started more offensively and with more pressure than Bayern. The Londoners failed to make the decisive pass in front of Neuer’s goal two or three times, but the first corner gave them the lead. Neuer was jostled immediately before the execution and then acted somewhat unluckily when the Dutch goalscorer headed the ball – the ball went past the keeper’s hands and into the goal.
Eberechi Eze almost took advantage of Bayern’s brief low to score the hosts’ second goal, but his shot just missed the Munich goal (31). Instead, things happened very quickly on the other side immediately afterwards: Joshua Kimmich sent Serge Gnabry with a strong pass towards the penalty area, the winger passed it on to Karl, who equalized with a direct pass. After another Bayern chance – Josip Stanisic shot past the goal (35th) – the game remained open until the half-time whistle. The Arsenal professionals were visibly annoyed by the first goal they conceded this Champions League season, but they didn’t have any really good chances. The draw at the break was fair.
Bayern have actually only had good experiences with the Gunners in the past. The Munich team won four of the last five meetings. This time it seemed to be much more difficult. Shortly after the restart, a shot from Bukayo Saka went just over the Bayern goal (48th). Even in the crowd following a corner, there was some luck in Arsenal not getting their second goal (51′).
In this phase, the Munich team rarely comes up with relief attacks. Karl tested Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, who had no trouble with the teenager’s shot (56′). On the other hand, Neuer quickly parried against Cristhian Mosquera (60th). Just a few minutes later, the Bayern goalkeeper was no longer able to prevent Arsenal from taking the lead again, which they now deserved. Madueke beat Konrad Laimer in the penalty area. Arsenal then pushed for the third goal and were rewarded – with the help of Neuer, of all people.
CL exit threatens: Eintracht Frankfurt loses significantly against Atalanta
Eintracht Frankfurt suffered another heavy Champions League defeat and has to worry more than ever about progressing after a six-minute blackout. The Hessians lost 3-0 (0-0) against Atalanta Bergamo in their own stadium that evening and now have just four points from five premier class games.
There is also a risk of a loss for striker Jonathan Burkardt, who limped off the field after just under an hour. Immediately after Burkardt’s substitution, Eintracht collapsed completely. Ademola Lookman (60th minute), Éderson (62nd) and Charles De Ketelaere (65th) made everything clear with three goals against a completely indisposed Frankfurt team.
With the fourth winless premier class game in a row, the desired place in the top 24 in the league format is in great danger. Opponent Bergamo already has ten points. The next home clap also results in a poor goal difference, which can still be decisive in the competition with 36 teams.
Coach Dino Toppmöller’s team showed a courageous performance for just over half an hour in front of 59,500 spectators in the sold-out European Championship Arena – after that things got worse and worse, especially after the break. In view of the difficult remaining program with games, among others, at FC Barcelona (December 8th) and against Tottenham Hotspur (January 28th), the Hessians are threatened with an early exit from the premier class.