This is not the first time that FC Bayern have shown themselves vulnerable at Feyenoord in the Champions League. The chances of direct qualification for the round of 16 have decreased significantly after the 3-0 defeat.
After the defeat in Rotterdam, Bayern boss Jan-Christian Dreesen immediately realized when he looked at the table in the Champions League: Even a win at the end of the league phase could not be enough for the record champions to advance directly to the round of 16. “Reaching the top eight will be difficult or impossible, it would be a miracle”said the CEO at the post-game banquet.
After the clear 0:3 (0:2) at Feyenoord Rotterdam, the Munich team are only in 15th place in the table before the last league matchday next Wednesday (January 29, 2025). Vincent Kompany’s team must therefore hope for help in the tight battle for the last remaining places in the round of 16 when they face Slovan Bratislava in Munich.
“Table doesn’t lie”
The coach was defiant after the game: “We’re not afraid of the playoffs, if we have to get in, we have to get through it. You have to earn that top eight and we weren’t good enough today. There’s one more game and then we’ll see.”
“The table doesn’t lie”Joshua Kimmich also said: “We have to admit that we are not a top team at the moment.” Sports director Max Eberl was also there: “We have to hope for a lot of support. If not, we have brought ourselves the playoffs”he said. “We got a big hit on the nose today.”
Bayern defense shaky
Santiago Gimenez gave Feyenoord the lead in the 21st minute after the wide-open Bayern defense was completely undermined by a long pass. Gimenez also took advantage of Munich’s second blackout: Raphael Guerreiro brought down Calvin Stengs in a completely harmless situation on the edge of the penalty area, Gimenez converted the penalty (45th + 9th). Ayase Ueda made the final score 3-0 (89th) complete the bitter defeat for the German record champions.
Despite their clear superiority and all their efforts, Bayern were unable to find any means against the very compact fourth-place team in the Eredivisie for long stretches. Feyenoord keeper Justin Bijlow also had a brilliant day.
Opportunities are not taken advantage of
The game started with the first chance for the hosts through Gimenez (9th). As a result, Bayern took control without initially causing any danger.
Felix Rösen, Sportschau, January 22nd, 2025 11:49 p.m
It was different for the Dutch, who caught Bayern, who had moved far up, cold on the first counterattack: Min-jae Kim was outplayed with a long ball to the top, and Gimenez gave Neuer no chance with a powerful shot. Bayern stayed on the trigger. But Kingsley Coman (28th and 33rd) and Harry Kane (42nd) failed due to the strong reaction of Bijlow. It was time for revenge: Guerreiro, who had recently replaced the ailing Alphonso Davies, fouled Stengs in the penalty area completely unnecessarily, and Gimenez accepted the gift.
Feyenoord keeper Bijlow saves against Kane and Musiala
Kompany reacted at half-time and brought on Sané for defender Konrad Laimer. The Munich team increased the risk. But Bijlow was again at the post against Kane (54th) and Musiala (60th) in the Bavarian power play. In addition, Sané only hit the post (70th). The substitutions of Serge Gnabry, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Thomas Müller did not bring about the hoped-for turnaround – Feyenoord remained more efficient and struck a third time shortly before the final whistle.
After the next away flop in the Champions League, after the 0:1 at Aston Villa and the 1:4 at FC Barcelona, the Munich team were farewelled by the Feyenoord fans with shouts of “goodbye”.