FC Bayern Munich is about to be eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. In the first leg, the German record champions lost 0: 3 (0: 1) to English top club Manchester City on Tuesday (April 11, 2023).
The fact that FC Bayern Munich has to play the role of defender is an absolute exception. It was to be expected that it would be like this in the first leg of the quarter-finals in the Champions League at Manchester City, so coach Thomas Tuchel also lined up his team accordingly. He brought on Serge Gnabry for Thomas Müller and thus relied primarily on speed on the offensive – the perfect counterattack.
Players suffer from wind and weather
At least in the initial phase, Tuchel was right, the “Citizens” controlled the game, even had 70 percent of the ball in the first ten minutes and also had first half chances. However, Bayern agreed to focus on the defensive first and played in a primarily disciplined manner, waiting for opportunities that the offensive opponent could offer at some point.
In addition to the two top European teams, the game had another factor: the weather. Extremely strong winds and a lot of rain definitely influenced the game, taking away a bit of class in the early stages because the ball didn’t run the way the players would have liked. Stability also suffered from the difficult space conditions.
Musiala almost with the Bayern leadership
Bayern created the first big chance of the game. Leroy Sané played the ball across to Jamal Musiala, whose shot from 12 meters out was blocked by Ruben Dias (26′). Without this rescue act, the attempt would have been successful because goalkeeper Ederson was already on his way to the other corner.
In direct return, however, Munich found no savior and had to watch ManCity director Rodri score a dream goal. The Spaniard put the ball on his supposedly weaker left foot and curled it sensitively from 22 meters into the far corner – the 1-0 for coach Pep Guardiola’s team (27th).
Sanè vs Ederson
Shortly thereafter, Sommer had to prevent the second goal with a great reflex. Dayot Upamecano misjudged a cross from Kevin De Bruyne – mainly due to the wind – whereupon the goalkeeper first had to save from Jack Grealish and then, lying on the ground, immediately raised his foot after Ilkay Gündogan’s shot (34′). Sané then had the greatest opportunity to equalize a few seconds before the half-time whistle with a long-range shot that just missed the goal (45+2).
Shortly after the restart, Sané tried from a distance, this time Ederson parried with his left arm (46th). Two minutes later, the national player came to the end, but this time from a much more dangerous position in the penalty area and in this case Ederson had to show all his skills to deflect the low shot (48th). The Brazilian goalkeeper also won the private duel against Sané in the third attempt, when it was a shot from 23 meters (54th).
Sommer also strong, but not Upamecano
Munich were clearly the better team in this phase, but City also showed that they are always to be reckoned with. First Sommer had to fend off Nathan Aké’s shot (56′), followed by an attempt by Dias (57′) after the corner. Both goalkeepers showed their class on the line in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Overall, a game developed at a high level, also because the weather normalized. The City-Bayern duel more and more corresponded to what was promised beforehand – in some places there was talk of an anticipated final. However, a Bayern player was not in final form – and one of his many mistakes then led to the 2-0 for the hosts. Upamecano lost the ball unnecessarily to Grealish, whose pass Haaland used for a sensitive cross to Bernardo Silva, who scored with a header (70′).
Bayern almost out after a six-minute slump
This moment obviously affected Bayern. The Guardiola team regained control and repeatedly came dangerously in front of the opposing goal. Sommer had to prevent the third goal against Julian Alvarez with another strong act (75th). Just a minute later, the Swiss was powerless again, Haaland was able to score his first goal of the evening and thus his eleventh personal goal in the competition (76th).
After the Bavarians had actually delivered a strong game, they were now threatened with a complete knockout in the premier class. City continued to storm, had more chances for the fourth goal. Only Sommer saved his team from this, among other things with a brilliant act after Rodri’s header (86th). But even with a 0: 3 in the luggage, the prospects for the second leg next week Wednesday (04/19/2023) in Munich are extremely poor.
Guardiola praises his defenders
City coach Guardiola knew, despite the high victory, that he also had to thank his defense. “Bayern had chances to score goals. I feel like there were teams this season that had fewer opportunities but still scored“said the 52-year-old. “But our defenders were so focused, that was great. Being stable is very important in this competition.”
Bayern coach Tuchel was also happy – apart from the result. “The result is bad, but the performance wasn’t. I loved how we played and I’m proud of our performance“, said the newcomer from Munich (in office for two weeks). “We were brutally punished because we made a mistake when we were dominating the game. We’ll try everything in the second leg and we won’t give up.“