Liverpool coup against Real
©IMAGO
FC Bayern, initially brilliant and then outnumbered for a long time, continued its winning streak against Champions League defending champions Paris Saint-Germain. The Colombian Luis Díaz first shone as a double goalscorer (4th/32nd minute) in the 2-1 (2-0) – the 16th win in the 16th game of the season – on Tuesday evening in the Prinzenpark and then became a bitter red card.
However, when PSG had the majority, they only hit back once through substitute João Neves (74′). Shortly before the half-time whistle, the overzealous winger Díaz hit PSG defender Achraf Hakimi hard on the foot when making a tackle near the halfway line. The Moroccan had to leave the pitch injured, supported by the support staff. Referee Maurizio Mariani first showed yellow – and then pulled out red after the video review.
But Bayern proved in the second half with ten men that they are currently the strongest team in Europe. The top game of the league phase delivered much of what it promised, even if it changed after the red card. Top speed, tactical sophistication and courageous, high defense by Bayern dominated the picture. “An extreme game,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany announced on “Prime Video” before kick-off.
And he said: “It’s dangerous when you take a step back against a team like that.” So his players preferred to take a decisive approach. And four months after the 2-0 win against Bayern in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup in the USA, PSG offered a lot defensively in this game without a breather due to the serious injury to national player Jamal Musiala.
Gnabry leads FC Bayern before the break
Serge Gnabry was Bayern’s key player. After a wonderful transfer of the ball to Michael OIise, the Frenchman was denied by goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, but Díaz was successful with the follow-up shot. Bayern survived a moment of shock because Ousmane Dembélé’s 1-1 score didn’t count due to offside (25′). “But annulé”, i.e. goal disallowed, flashed on the scoreboard after the VAR check. Shortly afterwards, the Ballon d’Or winner, who had started the game with injuries, had to leave the field. It didn’t work for the center forward anymore.
That’s why Bayern’s combination game worked. Gnabry shot onto the post (31st). And then Díaz stole the ball from the foot of the unconcentrated PSG captain Marquinhos and converted again in an ice-cold manner. His first Bayern brace. Before the 28-year-old was thrown off the pitch, Joshua Kimmich could have made it 3-0 after being cleared by Gnabry. But the shot landed wide of the goal.
Strong defenders and newcomers save FC Bayern over time
After the break it was of course a completely different game. In response to being outnumbered, Kompany took out the extremely strong Gnabry and brought in the young Tom Bischof. A tactical measure.
The focus now shifted to Bayern’s defense around the strong central defenders Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah as well as goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The captain had already shown strong foot defense against Bradley Barcolo before the break (30th). The 39-year-old fended off a powerful long-range shot from Vitinha with his fists (68′). Paris built up pressure, but there was also a lot of activism. Bayern were not confused. Relief at the front was rare, but in the end the Munich team managed to win over time – and lead the table.
Liverpool coup against Real Madrid – Tottenham outnumbered without any problems
Liverpool FC set an exclamation mark with a win against record holders Real Madrid. With a strong Florian Wirtz, the Reds, who had been in crisis for a long time, won 1-0 (0-0) against the Royals and are in sixth place, at least overnight, level on points with Real. For the Madrilenians and Xabi Alonso, who won the Champions League as a player with Liverpool in 2005 and for whom it was a return to Anfield, it was the first defeat as Real coach in the premier class.
The outstanding Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved his team from falling behind for a long time with several brilliant saves. The Belgian had no chance against midfielder Alexis Mac Allister’s (61′) header from close range.
Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur worked their way further up the table with a clear 4-0 (1-0) against FC Copenhagen. Goalscorer Brennan Johnson saw a red card (55th). Atlético Madrid also climbed through a 3-1 (1-0) win against Union Saint-Gilloise, but is still outside the places that directly entitle them to participate in the round of 16.
Juventus Turin is not getting going even with new coach Luciano Spalletti. The still winless Italian record champions only managed a 1-1 draw against Sporting Lisbon. AS Monaco got three points for the first time this season with a 1-0 (1-0) win at FK Bodø/Glimt. PSV Eindhoven secured a point in stoppage time in a 1-1 (0-1) draw at Olympiacos Piraeus.