Status: November 2nd, 2021 11:00 p.m.
With the returnee Julian Nagelsmann, FC Bayern Munich made it into the round of 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday (November 2nd, 2021). In the win against Benfica Lisbon, Robert Lewandowski was the decisive man with three goals.
When he returned to the sidelines after surviving the corona infection, Julian Nagelsmann had a lot to do right away. FC Bayern lacked the dominance they wanted against Benfica Lisbon at the beginning. The guests had the first dangerous actions. After five minutes, Bayern showed their class – Serge Gnabry had the first big opportunity after preparatory work from Kingsley Coman, but Benfica goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos reacted strongly.
But Lisbon remained the better team, only an extremely narrow offside position prevented the Portuguese from 1-0 after a corner kick (16). Bayern struck back again, and Vlachodimos prevented Munich from taking the lead after a long-range shot from Alphonso Davies (19th). Especially on the right side, Bayern in the person of Coman repeatedly caused danger.
Double strike of Bavaria
Benfica had already given Bayern problems in the first leg. It was an even game for 70 minutes when the score was 0-0, before Munich scored four goals in the closing stages. This time it wasn’t that long before the first hit. Coman prevailed again and crossed to Robert Lewandowski, who easily headed the 1-0 from a few meters (26th).
A little later, Bayern followed suit – and in a very spectacular way. Joshua Kimmich played a great long ball on Lewandowski, whose cross pass Gnabry spiked into the goal with the heel at Vlachodimos (32nd). The goalkeeper prevented the German national player’s second goal shortly afterwards (36th).
The first half ends with negative experiences in Munich
As strong as Bayern’s offensive is, the defensive was again vulnerable on Tuesday. After a short free-kick, Grimaldo was allowed to cross undisturbed, and Morato headed the next goal (38.). It was only Bayern’s first goal in the Champions League, but Manuel Neuer had to accept a total of seven opposing goals in the last two games.
Shortly before the half-time whistle, the German record champions had a great chance to restore the old gap. Benfica defender Lucas Verissimo blocked a shot from Leon Goretzka in the penalty area with his hand, but Lewandowski missed the penalty. Vlachodimos could not be loaded and held the Pole’s shot without any problems (45th + 1).
Bavarian dream goals in the second half
But Bayern caught up with the goal shortly after the half-time break. Davies headed Kimmich’s diagonal pass to Leroy Sané, who scored the 3-1 with a volley (49th). Three minutes later, the 25-year-old missed the fourth Munich goal while standing in front of the goal.
The team’s top scorer then scored with his entire world class. Bayern countered, Lewandowski prevailed in the penalty area and carefully chipped the ball over the rushed Vlachodimos into the goal (62nd). Just seconds later, the former German U21 national goalkeeper had to prevent the 5-1 from a Goretzka long-range shot (63rd), and the 27-year-old was also there against Sané (64th).
New only with another goal conceded, then with assist
In view of the sure victory, however, Bayern acted too carelessly on the defensive again. After losing the ball, Benfica accepted the invitation to counterattack, which Darwin Nunez completed to 2: 4 (74th). Lewandowski again provided the final point, again with a lifter – but the special thing: the template came from goalkeeper Neuer (85th).
After the win, FC Bayern will already be in the Champions League round of 16. The remaining games in the group stage are scheduled for the Munich team on November 23 at Dynamo Kiev (6.45 p.m.) and against FC Barcelona on December 8 (9 p.m.).
Source: sportschau.de