Despite Kimmich’s faux pas
FC Bayern turns the game around – young star Karl stands out
Updated on December 9, 2025 – 8:48 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The German record champions are once again setting an example in the premier class. Despite being in the lead, Sporting Lisbon also couldn’t upset Bayern.
However, Serge Gnabry (65th), the once again very strong Lennart Karl (69th) and Jonathan Tah (77th) turned the game around in just twelve minutes. With 15 points, the German champions are almost certain of a direct ticket to the round of 16 ahead of the final two matchdays in the league phase in January.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany called for “full focus” before kick-off. The Belgian relied on an energetic FC Bayern with “freshness”, which he documented with seven changes to the starting eleven compared to the 5-0 win at VfB Stuttgart three days earlier. But the game in the Munich Arena quickly resembled working in a quarry.
It was difficult to run against Sporting’s defensive bulwark. Without several key players who were unable to play, guest coach Rui Borges formed his team with a five-man defensive chain and a row of four in front, very massed and deep. Bayern started running, with Karl, with Gnabry, with Kane and with Michael Olise. But the attack failed at the latest due to goalkeeper Rui Silva.
It was 0-0 at the break – and that was also thanks to Manuel Neuer. Because the footballing talent in the Portuguese champions’ team also flashed. Often in the person of Geny Catamo on the right wing. Tah tackled his sharp cross – and captain Neuer had to prevent an own goal with a reflexive defensive movement of his left hand.
After the break, pyrotechnics in the Bayern fan block plunged the stadium into fog. And before it had fully moved, the ball was in Neuer’s goal exactly in front of the south curve. The 18-year-old João Simões, who had assured the evening before in the Munich Arena that “we are not afraid,” hit Tah while dribbling. And Kimmich extended the cross from the great Sporting talent into his own goal. This time Neuer was also powerless.