FC Bayern starts the Champions League with a win against Manchester United

Goal-scoring start

Even without active support from Thomas Tuchel on the sidelines, FC Bayern’s professionals maintained their reputation as starting specialists in the Champions League. The suspended coach was able to celebrate his team’s 4:3 (2:0) win in the European classic against Manchester United on Wednesday evening as a guest in the box after a sluggish opening phase and turbulent final minutes.

The first two goals in Munich’s 20th opening win in the premier class were certainly scored by national players Leroy Sané (28th minute) and Serge Gnabry (32nd), much to the delight of the designated new national coach Julian Nagelsmann. After United attacker Rasmus Höjlund’s goal (49th), Harry Kane made his big appearance in his premier class debut for FC Bayern. England’s captain converted a hand penalty flatly and sharply (53′).

In the final phase it became turbulent again. First Manchester shortened the score through Casemiro (88th), then Bayern joker Mathys Tel countered in stoppage time to make it 4-2. The Brazilian Casemiro once again scored the final point (90+4). Sané, who was once again effective on the right wing, also scored a shot at the post following work from Jamal Musiala (56′).

Due to a UEFA ban following a yellow-red card in the quarter-final defeat against Manchester City, Tuchel was not allowed to be in contact with his team before kick-off or during the 90 minutes. “It’s annoying, of course,” said the 50-year-old about his role. After all, he saw an overall convincing performance from his team in his stand. It was the first small step towards the targeted final in 2024 at Wembley. Tuchel’s assistants Zsolt Löw and Anthony Barry successfully took over on the bench.

But Tuchel made the lineup. And Champions League games during Tuchel’s tenure are no longer Thomas Müller games. The 34-year-old sat on the bench, as he did in both games against City in April. Jamal Musiala, who was really fit again, came into the starting line-up. And the 20-year-old not only showed with a brilliant solo run before Gnabry’s 2-0 win why Tuchel called him a “key player” on the streaming service “DAZN” before kick-off. Müller had to wait until the 87th minute before coming on for Kane.

Before Bayern turned the game their way with the double strike to make it 2-0 in front of 75,000 spectators in the sold-out Allianz Arena, they had walked around the pitch quite disoriented for 20 minutes. The guests dominated, but did not lead because Sven Ulreich parried a dangerous shot from Christian Eriksen in the near corner (4th).

A goalkeeper as support is important. United goalkeeper André Onana confirmed this theory with Bayern’s first goal. Sané shot from 18 meters after a one-two with Kane – and the Cameroon goalkeeper let the durable ball slip into the net. And before the guests had recovered from the deficit, the score was already 2-0.

After the break, after Kane’s penalty at the latest, Bayern had little trouble completing the first step towards their targeted group victory, with the exception of their carelessness when conceding a goal. Eriksen was hit by a header from Dayot Upamecano. With the feeling of a secure home win, the Munich team conceded a second goal.

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