Tired zero number for the anniversary: FC Bayern Munich had no reason to celebrate in its 100th European Cup home game in the Allianz Arena with starting eleven returnee Thomas Müller.
The lame 0-0 draw against Danish champions FC Copenhagen ended their brilliant record winning streak after 17 group games in the Champions League. After all, it was the 39th game in the preliminary round without defeat in a row.
The first goalless draw at home since April 2018 against Sevilla FC in the quarter-finals was the twelfth draw in the arena in 73 successes.
Thanks to two brilliant saves from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the final phase (87th), it brought another million into the already bulging coffers.
Referee Stephanie Frappart took back a supposed hand penalty in stoppage time after studying the video. At the end of the group phase, the Munich team will play a guest game at Manchester United on December 12th.
“We are not happy with the game, we didn’t risk enough,” summed up Thomas Müller on “DAZN”. Captain Neuer added: “We just have to accept it as it was. They were very well staggered at the back and defended well. We lacked a bit of activity.”
FC Bayern fans impress with Wembley choreo
Bayern had already secured their place in the round of 16, including group victory, but coach Thomas Tuchel demanded full commitment. “We always play to win, that’s the DNA of the club, that’s why we get up in the morning,” he said.
And the fans also took the game seriously. With its choreography, the south curve was reminiscent of the triumph at Wembley 2013 (“Arjen did it”), the guests lit dozens of candles with the words “Copenhagen dreaming”.
Alone: The game was anything but fantastically beautiful, no matter how hard Müller in particular tried. It was clear to Bayern that they had never played together like this before. Tuchel had to replace Min-Jae Kim (hip), Noussair Mazraoui (gastrointestinal) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (knee) at short notice and initially did without Leroy Sané.
But veteran Müller started in the premier class for the first time this season, and Raphael Guerreiro even made his starting eleven debut for Munich. He played in midfield alongside Joshua Kimmich, whose regular partner Leon Goretzka had to help out in the center of defense, as he did in the first round of the cup in Münster.
Neuer saves pomadigen FC Bayern late
Due to the many changes, the positional play was lacking. Things became really dangerous for the first time after a header assist from Müller for Mathys Tel. But the young Frenchman, who had only been allowed to start in the cup so far, missed the mark (14′). And so the FCK almost duped the German record champions. But talent Roony Bardghji shot just past the left post from 14 meters (27th).
Bayern often lacked sharpness and precision. This was also the case for Müller with his header after Tel’s preparatory work (30′). Even the long balls often played by Goretzka were no means of breaking the Danish deadlock. When Kimmich’s sensitive lob landed in the six-yard box, Harry Kane couldn’t get the ball under control (41′).
Improper passing, technical errors even from an expert like Kane – that’s how the second half began. Bayern dominated the action and pressed well at times, but they didn’t capitalize on it. Tuchel responded logically with a triple substitution (63′).
Kane finally had the first good opportunity (68th), Joker Sané hit a free kick over it (72nd). But the gate remained boarded up. On the other hand, Neuer prevented a defeat with a double chance from Mohamed Elyounoussi (87th).