Champions League
Tuchel’s joker stings: Bayern strike back in Copenhagen
Substitutes Thomas Müller (r) and Mathys Tel brought FC Bayern victory. photo
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
They still shot it. Bayern are 0-1 behind in Copenhagen. But Tuchel’s troops are fighting their way back. Thanks to Musiala, super joker Tel and Müller. The series lasts.
After a lot of idle time, Jamal Musiala and super joker Mathys Tel have FC Bayern Munich in for a rude awakening Champions League preserved.
The German soccer champions faced their first defeat in a premier class group game in six years in a 2-1 (0-0) draw against FC Copenhagen after 56 minutes of play and the Danes’ opening goal by Lukas Lerager.
Musiala equalized in the 67th minute after a fine individual performance in front of 35,690 spectators in the atmospheric Parken Stadium to make it 1-1. And then coach Thomas Tuchel’s jokers struck. Thomas Müller played an outstanding role for Tel, who was substituted with him – and the French youngster confidently scored the winning goal. The reaction to the deficit was correct, but despite the six-point start, Bayern are not exuding dominance at the moment. In stoppage time, Ulreich made an outstanding save from a header from Jordan Larsson.
Goretzka initially on the bench
Even before things started in slightly autumnal, rainy Copenhagen, the Bayern fans heated up the atmosphere with a pyrotechnic show in the guest block. On the pitch, which was pretty battered after a concert at the weekend, the Bayern professionals first had to stay cool, but what followed was rather cold.
The Danish champions, coached by Jacob Neestrup, who is only 35 years old, immediately went on the offensive. In the fourth minute, Mohamed Elyounoussi tested Sven Ulreich. The Munich keeper had no problems with the shot.
After the 2-2 draw in the Bundesliga at RB Leipzig, Tuchel only made one change after being 2-0 down: Leon Goretzka had to go to the bench. Konrad Laimer moved to the six in midfield in his place, while Noussair Mazraoui came into the starting line-up as right-back. And after the very short initial period of pressure from the hosts, Bayern initially dominated the ball and the game.
However, the offensive department, with Harry Kane, who was lackluster this time, and Leroy Sané, who has been in great form for some time, were not really dangerous in front of the Copenhagen goal. In the 16th, Sané played on Kane, but Bayern’s top scorer was denied by VfL Wolfsburg’s designated goalkeeper, Kamil Grabara. Three minutes later, the masked man in the host box didn’t even have to intervene against Sané in his 50th Champions League game; Birger Meling tackled the German international.
Müller and Tel bring the victory
Bayern largely controlled the game. But there was a lack of force, precision and sovereignty. Munich’s top-class offensive struggled against the disciplined Danes, who defended with ten men when Bayern had the ball. Joshua Kimmich’s (31st) long-range shot over the goal remained the best chance for a long time.
On the other hand, the Copenhageners tested Ulreich again during their few attacks. And again it was Elyounoussi, this time with a header. Things even seemed to get really dicey when Copenhagen captain Viktor Claesson appeared free in front of Ulreich. His shot went wide and it was just offside – but also proof that the Munich team acted too carelessly.
Tuchel’s team seemed too static, too lacking in ideas. Surprise effects remained in short supply against the Danes, who were strong at home. So the Bayern fans brought out the pyros again in the second half. But the fireworks on the pitch ignited Copenhagen: Bayern were able to block Claesson’s shot, Lerager slammed the rebound into the goal – and the home fans cheered frantically.
Tuchel watched the replay on his tablet in disbelief; his players looked under the weather. On the sidelines, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Müller and Tel were already ready to substitute, when Musiala equalized with a fine individual action and a low shot from 15 meters – and Tuchel also had to grin. The trio had to wait, Elyounoussi missed Copenhagen’s renewed lead by just centimeters on the pitch. Now came the time of Müller and Tel and Goretzka instead of Choupo-Moting. And the three freshmen put pressure on. With success when Müller presented the ball to Tel.