A big mistake from Manuel Neuer caused the new one Coach Vincent Kompany the first defeat with Bayern Munich. The record champions disappointed at Aston Villa. Wednesday’s game at Villa Park in Birmingham ended 1-0.
Four days after Munich’s strong performance against champions Leverkusen (1-1), the German record champions disappointed against defensively minded Englishmen and severely lacked the self-image shown in the Bundesliga. Jhon Duran scored England’s winning goal with a lob over Bayern-Keeper Manuel Neuer. After this second game, Munich slipped into the middle of the table. For the English it was the second appearance in the Champions League at all.
Kimmich defends Neuer: “They often benefit”
“In general, we didn’t implement our game 100 percent and made a bit too many mistakes”said Joshua Kimmich at DAZN, “Not everything was perfect going forward, but we had some very good chances and they were 100 percent.” Kimmich did not want to criticize Neuer, who initially – as so often happens – came far out of the goal during the decisive scene and was therefore no longer able to hold onto the ball that was passed over him: “We often benefit from the fact that he is so high. Accordingly, we don’t blame him.”
Kompany said: “We always have to look at it objectively. We’ve had maybe eight chances against us in the last three or four games. Only eight in three or four games. That means the boys are doing well.” And about managing the load on his players, which is why the Belgian initially did without Jamal Musiala, the coach said: “The main thing for me is that we don’t have any injuries. If we have these players and this bench, we will always do something good in the games. I have this confidence in the team and in the players, but they have to be fit. “
Musiala with a break
As mentioned, Kompany gave his star pupil Musiala a break at the start of the game in England: Instead, Kingsley Coman was on the pitch from the start, with Konrad Laimer defending for Raphael Guerreiro at the back right.
Bayern started powerfully from kick-off and won their first corner after just 70 seconds. However: The two-time world goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the Villa box had no problems with this and – to put it bluntly – with all nine of Bayern’s other corners.
A little later, the Argentine demonstrated his exceptional skills with a lightning reaction to a flying header from Harry Kane (7th) – however, Kane had started offside. Despite playing a large portion of the game, Bayern did not develop a goal threat. In contrast, Aston Villa, coached by Basque Unai Emery, freed themselves from the pressure from Munich and gained more and more shares of the game.
Watkins chance wakes Villa up
The English international Ollie Watkins then quickly showed after a cross from the left by Lucas Digne that the team from Birmingham really wanted to play against Bayern: Watkins rustically beat Minjae Kim in the header, but headed over the goal of the guests from Germany . But by the time the home team had their first chance to score, Bayern had lost their central theme.
And the Villa supporters immediately cheered frenetically – almost like they did back in 1982, when Aston Villa beat Bayern 1-0 in the final of the European Champions Cup: After a yellow card against Dayot Upamecano, Digne was able to cross again from the left. The Bayern defense team completely lost their bearings, Villa central defender Pau Torres, who had moved up, was there and pushed the ball over the line from close range from the right. While Villa Park celebrated, the goal was checked in the background – and the English team was disallowed for offside (23′).
After half an hour, Bayern had somewhat recovered: Aleksandar Pavlovic served Serge Gnabry exemplary, but instead of playing to the free Kane, Gnabry tried it himself, failed – and Kane was boiling. Later, Michael Olise tried from distance, but the giant Martinez reached over and directed the ball over the crossbar. When the Romanian referee blew the whistle for half-time, it was clear: Bayern’s offensive department needed Jamal Musiala.
Musiala in the second half of the game
Kompany brought the brilliant midfielder into the second half of the game – and again the Munich team started with a lot of dominance. But once again the English team defended consistently – and also had Munich’s first shot on goal in the second half through Gnabry Martinez (61′).
A little later Musiala almost struck when he took a little too much time with the shot and was able to clear Torres. However, despite 68% possession of the ball, Bayern were still a long way from taking the lead.
Deep in the second period, Munich suffered disillusionment: The “Lions” quickly moved forward and Pau Torres sent Duran on his way. The Colombian saw that Manuel Neuer was far too far from his penalty area and beat the deserved keeper with a precise shot from around 30 meters. Neuer ran after the ball but had no chance. The British Prince William, whose favorite club is the “AVFC”, also cheered with the around 48,000 Villa fans.
Bayern with final attack
Munich threw everything forward in the final phase, Kompany substituted Mathys Tel, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Müller. But when Martinez again parried against Gnabry in added time and Harry Kane, who was indisposed that evening, failed with a free kick, Bayern’s first defeat under new coach Vincent Kompany was perfect.