Bayern Munich celebrated an important victory against FC Barcelona and his ex-scorer Robert Lewandowski. The prospects for the round of 16 are bright.
Robert Lewandowski congratulated his ex-colleagues fairly, waved at the fans briefly – then he left his former living room disappointed. FC Bayern, on the other hand, celebrated exuberantly in front of the south stand: The record hunters from Munich set the hoped-for exclamation point at the explosive reunion with Robert Lewandowski.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team won 2-0 (0-0) against FC Barcelona on their title mission in the Champions League and now has the best prospects of reaching the round of 16 in the strong group C before the upcoming games against Viktoria Pilsen.
“Everyone here was hungry. Every player dreams of a game like this,” said national team player Jamal Musiala. His team was “not impatient”: “Sometimes you need a corner goal, after that the momentum was on our side. It was really difficult.”
Lucas Hernandez gave the Munich team, who had disappointed with three draws in the league, the lead in the 50th minute. Leroy Sane made it 2-0 with a great solo (54th). Bayern, who improved significantly after the change, could also thank Lewandowski, who showed unusual weaknesses in the finish in front of 75,000 spectators in the Allianz Arena.
Hernández and Upamecano defend against Lewandowski
“It happens to every player. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” said Musiala: “We made it as difficult as possible for him.”
It was the 30th group game in a row without defeat for the Munich team, tying the record set by Real Madrid. Against Barca it was already the fifth win in a row. Lewandowski didn’t help either.
The 34-year-old, who had scored 344 goals in 375 competitive games for Bayern, was at least applauded by the Munich fans on his return. His change in the summer had provided plenty of theater.
As an opponent for the Pole, Nagelsmann had chosen Dayot Upamecano in central defense alongside Lucas Hernandez instead of Matthijs de Ligt. Jamal Musiala also replaced the injured Kingsley Coman. Otherwise, the Bayern coach trusted the team from 2-0 at Inter Milan.
A competitive game developed from the start, in which Barca bravely sought the offensive. So Pedri failed in the 8th minute because of the brilliantly reacting Manuel Neuer.
Shortly afterwards, however, the Bayern keeper put his ex-colleague Lewandowski in position with an unsuccessful pass, but Upamecano just clarified. However, Bayern wouldn’t have had a chance if Lewandowski (17′) had aimed better from a completely free position. Shortly thereafter, the former Munich goalkeeper then failed at Neuer.
Pavard has to be substituted injured
Bayern made an effort, but initially lacked precision and ideas when playing at the top. Unlike his DFB colleague Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen initially had little to do.
In the 27th minute he had to intervene for the first time against substitute Noussair Mazraoui – he came on for the injured Benjamin Pavard. But the Munich team didn’t really get going.
Barcelona, on the other hand, remained extremely dangerous. Mazraoui saved again in dire need against Lewandowski (43rd). When going into the dressing room, Bayern could be happy that their former goalkeeper had been merciful in the first half.
Nagelsmann reacted and brought in Leon Goretzka for Marcel Sabitzer. But first it was Barca again with another chance from Raphina (46th). But Bayern woke up and were now much more aggressive. First Goretzka forced ter Stegen to make a parade, then Hernandez headed after a corner from Joshua Kimmich – and Sané.