Status: 20.10.2021 11:28 p.m.
Open exchange of blows with two world-class goalkeepers and an outstanding Leroy Sané. Without the sick Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern wins the Champions League at Benfica.
In the extremely hard-won (even if the result doesn’t sound like it) 4-0 (0-0) in the Estádio da Luz, Munich had to deal with a special situation. Coach Nagelsmann had to be exempt from the job because of the flu, for him his assistant Dino Toppmöller was on the sidelines. “That won’t be a big problem. Julian already tactically adjusted the team the day before,” said the former Frankfurt striker before the game – and he was right.
Above all combative, it was an outstanding performance by the German endurance champions, who kept running up and kept his nerve and patience, even if Lisbon goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos caused desperation for Robert Lewandowski and his colleagues for 70 minutes.
Decision only in the last 20 minutes
The Greek in the Portuguese goal defused great chances of Sané, several times Lewandowski, Kingsley Coman, Benjamin Pavard and Thomas Müller, only in the final phase of the game did the hosts completely collapse after a wonderful Sané free kick (70th).
Bayern had cheered twice before, but referee Ovidiu Haţegan refused to acknowledge a Lewandowski goal shortly before the break because of a handball. Müller was also only happy for a short time in the 49th minute – his goal was withdrawn by the VAR after video evidence due to an offside position by Coman in the run-up to the scene.
Everton with an own goal (80th), then Lewandowski after brilliant preparatory work by Serge Gnabry and Sané (82nd) and finally again Sané (85th) ensured a final score that does not reflect the course of the game in any way.
New strong against Núñez and Gonçalves
Because as long as it was still 0-0, Manuel Neuer had to show his extra class again and again. The Portuguese fans screamed the goal in the 33rd minute when Darwin Núñez appeared free in front of the world goalkeeper – but could not overcome him. His colleague Diogo Gonçalves also had the 1-0 for Benfica in the 55th minute, but Neuer sensationally steered the ball over the crossbar.
Toppmöller then made a courageous and groundbreaking decision to move – prompted by a text message from Nagelsmann: He took right-back Pavard off the field and brought in the much more offensive Gnabry – only then could the hosts no longer withstand the constant pressure.
Toppmöller explains the Gnabry change
Bayern Munich’s assistant coach Dino Toppmöller was the boss this time
Image: Imago / kolbert-press
“We played a very, very good game. Even after the goals were disallowed, we just kept going,” said the outstanding Sane. “It was a great evening for us. The second half was outstanding,” said captain Neuer.
Temporary coach Toppmöller explained: “The change from Pavard to Gnabry was a great idea from Julian, we were in contact. Of course I have to make my debut with a round of Leberkäs’ again.”
Bavaria almost certainly continues
Bayern can almost certainly plan for the knockout round with their third win in the third game. Benfica are also still in the race and are second in Group E, despite the defeat, still one point ahead of FC Barcelona.
Source: sportschau.de