FC Bayern’s winning streak comes to an end in the top game at Arsenal. Manuel Neuer doesn’t look good twice.
Harry Kane wiped his wet hair in disappointment, Manuel Neuer snuck off the pitch with his head hanging after a used evening. The almost infallible dominators of Bayern Munich have suffered the first serious setback on their triumphal march through Europe.
In the next Champions League summit, coach Vincent Kompany’s team lost 1:3 (1:1) to the standard kings of Arsenal FC after an error-filled performance. The dream series of 18 games without defeat is broken and the lead in the premier class is lost for the time being.
After the exclamation points against club world champions FC Chelsea (3:1) and being outnumbered by defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (2:1), only super boy Lennart Karl (32nd) scored against the sovereign leaders of the Premier League. Jurrien Timber from a corner (22′), Noni Madueke (69′) and Gabriel Martinelli (77′) were successful for the Gunners.
FC Bayern still have their sights set on the round of 16
Goalkeeper Neuer didn’t look good when conceding the first and third goals. With twelve points from five games, Bayern still have their sights firmly set on their stated goal for the league phase, namely direct qualification for the round of 16.
“You have to accept that you’re going to lose sometimes,” said national player Serge Gnabry on “DAZN”: “Arsenal are a very strong opponent, it’s not for nothing that they’ve won all their games so far. They had a phase in which they pushed us in behind with a lot of corners. We didn’t manage to do much in the second half.”
Before the first’s cracker at the second, Kompany discussed the English standard strength, after all, his team had recently shown themselves vulnerable: the Munich team conceded six of the eight goals they conceded in the Bundesliga after dead balls. “We are conceding too many goals at the moment,” warned sports director Max Eberl.
It didn’t help. In the finest English drizzle, Arsenal were promptly successful with their first corner. Neuer allowed himself to be blocked and then came too late, defender Timber headed in.
Karl scores for FC Bayern
Arsenal also became dangerous in the game – with Bayern’s weapons: after winning the ball high, the ball landed at Eberechi Eze, who, however, lacked clarity in front of Neuer (31′).
And Bayern? Lacked the usual dominance this season. The equalizer came without notice. Joshua Kimmich hit the ball over 60 meters precisely into the path of Gnabry, both of whom had recently had to take a break. With the first contact, Gnabry passed across to Karl, who finished straight away. “Played perfectly, everything in the first contact,” enthused Karl advisor Michael Ballack at DAZN: “Lennart with a great finish.”
From then on, the Munich team were better in the game, full-back Josip Stanisic missed the chance to take a lucky lead before the break (35th). Even after the restart there was no recipe for breaking free from Arsenal’s pressing grip. Kimmich assisted Bukayo Saka with a bad pass, and Neuer defused it (48′).
Then the set-piece wave started: Germany terror Mikel Merino failed after two dangerous corners (55th/58th), central defender Cristhian Mosquera failed after a free kick from half field (61st).
Arsenal fans taunt Kane
A solo from Karl was one of Munich’s few chances (56′). Instead, the pressure from the hosts increased. After a bad pass from Dayot Upamecano, Riccardo Calafiori fed Madueke to take the lead again.
Martinelli made the decision: After a long pass, he put the ball past the rushing Neuer just behind the halfway line and pushed it into the empty goal from 20 meters.
Pale star striker Kane was mocked by fans when he returned to the island. “Harry, what’s the score?” (Harry, how are things?) they sang cheekily.