After the debacle in Frankfurt, FC Bayern returned with a victory at Manchester United. The Munich team appeared to be solid defensively and ice-cold offensively. Meanwhile, the ailing Coman and Mazraoui are causing concern.
FC Bayern remains harmless in the Champions League. Thomas Tuchel’s team won 1-0 (0-0) at Manchester United in an uneventful game thanks to a stroke of genius from Harry Kane. The German record champions had already qualified for the round of 16 as group winners before kick-off at Old Trafford. Kingsley Coman (71′) scored on an assist from Kane and thus sealed United’s elimination from the preliminary round. The German record champions finished the group phase undefeated with 16 points.
Bayern with anger in their stomachs: “I showed a reaction”
“We talked about it and wanted to show more fight and passion. We did that, we dominated the game,” said Kane after the game at Prime: “It’s great that we finished first in the group.” Captain Manuel Neuer spoke of a “game of patience”, in contrast to the Frankfurt defeat, “we did the basics right today. We were all very angry and rightly so. We showed a reaction today.”
Tuchel happy: “Best performance in the Champions League”
Thomas Tuchel was also very satisfied. “We needed a reaction and we showed a reaction,” said the former Chelsea coach and even spoke of his team’s “best performance of this Champions League season”. Who Bayern will face in the round of 16 will be drawn on Monday at 12 p.m. in Nyon (Switzerland).
United eliminated – Bayern undefeated
For Manchester, the Bayern duel was an early final: As bottom of the table, the Red Devils were about to be eliminated from the premier class and, in addition to their own win, they also needed a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray. Erik ten Hag’s team went into the game with corresponding commitment.
But FC Bayern were hardly deterred by the hosts in their possession game. After the embarrassing 1:5 at Eintracht Frankfurt, there was a little pressure on the Tuchel team in the last international game of the year, despite their sporting insignificance. The FCB coach only changed his starting eleven in one position: Jamal Musiala replaced Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Thomas Müller took a seat on the bench again.
Seyffert, Sportschau, December 12, 2023 11:45 p.m
Maguire and Mazraoui out battered
In front of the goal, Leroy Sané (26th, 32nd) in particular lacked determination several times, and United also didn’t have any significant chances. Shortly before half-time, Manchester’s defense chief Harry Maguire had to leave the field. The central defender, who had recently regained his strength, injured his inner thigh and was sent off to a standing ovation in the Theater of Dreams. Tuchel also had to make a substitution at half-time and brought on Konrad Laimer for the injured Noussair Mazraoui.
As the playing time increased, the mistakes in the Bavarian build-up game increased because United now pressed earlier. Harry Kane was also left out for 70 minutes in his first club appearance on the island since moving to FC Bayern. “It felt pretty strange playing here with Bayern. But for me it was just another game where I wanted to help Bayern Munich,” said Kane on his England return. Although the 30-year-old tried to be well integrated into the midfield as a passing pass, he waited in vain for usable passes in the penalty area.
Kane first logged out then wide awake
In the 71st minute, however, the Englishman broke the spell at Old Trafford. He passed a ball in the penalty area to Coman in an exemplary manner, the Frenchman stayed cool in the duel with keeper Onana and pushed in safely. For Kane, it was his tenth goal involvement in the last 12 competitive games against United. Afterwards, Manchester was no longer able to pull itself together decisively.
Coman also has to leave the field injured
Annoying for Bayern: goalscorer Coman also sat down on the ground after a sprint and showed that he couldn’t continue. Youngster Mathys Tel came in for him. In the final phase, Kane (83′) still had the 2-0 lead. There are still two Bundesliga games waiting for Bayern before the winter break. On Sunday (7:30 p.m.) the in-form VfB Stuttgart comes to Munich, three days later the record champions travel to VfL Wolfsburg to end the year (Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.).