Bayern Munich wins with a bang at FC Copenhagen. In the end, Sven Ulreich holds on to victory.
Sven Ulreich clenched both hands into victorious fists and kicked the post in relief. With an incredible save, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper prevented an own goal from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting at the last second and thus secured the flattering 2-1 (0-0) victory in the Champions League at FC Copenhagen. The reward he deserved: Ulreich was warmed and hugged by all his teammates.
“The way he gets it out is gigantic,” enthused captain Joshua Kimmich on “Prime Video” after the “extremely difficult game” and praised Ulreich: “In general, what he’s been playing in the last few weeks is great for us. He’s doing it on behalf of us by Manu (Neuer) incredibly good, radiates an unbelievable calm.”
The German record champions also extended their super series in the premier class and headed for the round of 16. Ultimately unimpressed by the fuss surrounding a possible signing of Jerome Boateng, Bayern ended their little Denmark curse with the rebellious outsiders: the Munich team had not won in the neighboring country for 44 years.
Musiala and Tel save FC Bayern
The goals for Bayern, who had been far too static for a long time, were scored by Jamal Musiala (67th) and substitute Mathys Tel (83rd) after outstanding preparatory work by joker Thomas Müller. Coach Thomas Tuchel showed a golden touch.
Lukas Lerager (56th) had put the Danish champions, who had long been more toxic, in the lead. For Munich it was the 15th (!) victory in the group phase in a row.
FCB was the first club ever to survive 18 away games in a row in the preliminary round without defeat. The last defeat (0:3 in Paris) was over six years ago and they have been undefeated in 36 group games (33 wins, 3 draws).
Tuchel warns Bayern stars in vain
But it was hard work. In their second appearance after the 4-3 win against Manchester United, Bayern lacked the creativity and penetration to crack the Danish defensive bulwark.
Immediately before the game, Tuchel had warned about the extremely strong rivals at home. “We have to be fully there,” he said on Danish television – knowing full well that Copenhagen had only suffered one defeat in their previous 15 premier class home games and had wrested a 0-0 draw from eventual champions Manchester City the previous year.
Bayern also struggled in vain for a long time in front of 38,000 spectators in the atmospheric Parken Stadium. Thanks to Musiala and Tel, they travel to the next away game at Turkish record champions Galatasaray with six points in three weeks.
Ulreich is there against Elyounoussi
The topic of Boateng was, of course, omnipresent on Tuesday evening. Sports director Christoph Freund once again defended the interest in the former national player. “The presumption of innocence applies, there are no proceedings underway,” said the Austrian. Whether Boateng will actually return will be decided by the end of the week.
In Copenhagen, as recently at RB Leipzig (2:2), Dayot Upamecano and Min-Jae Kim formed the central defense – and had their hands full. The Danes got off to a lively start. Sven Ulreich had to intervene early on against the pretty blank Mohamed Elyounoussi (4th).
As a result, the Munich team, for whom national player Leon Goretzka was not in the starting line-up, tried to gain security through longer periods of possession. But despite their first chances, the guests appeared vulnerable. Ulreich was there for an Elyounoussi header (27th). Bayern were lucky that Viktor Claesson was just offside a few seconds later.
Sammer raves about Copenhagen – Musiala is unstoppable
TV expert Matthias Sammer raved about the Danes’ defensive power during the break and gave them a “textbook grade of 1” for cohesion and defense on Prime Video. Bayern acted too unimaginatively. Superstar Harry Kane, who only had six ball contacts in the first half, needs to be “more mobile,” complained Sammer.
Shortly after the restart, Copenhagen struck ice cold. After Konrad Laimer lost a duel, the Danes switched quickly and Lerager scored. Bayern increased the number of hits – and benefited from a strong individual performance from Musiala and their top-class bench.