EFC Bayern, who turned up the heat after the break, again became a terror for FC Barcelona when Robert Lewandowski returned goalless to Munich. Thanks to a significant increase in performance with sudden consistency in attack, the German record champions celebrated their fifth win in a row against the Catalans with a 2-0 (0-0) win in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
The strong defender Lucas Hernández with a header (50th minute) and Leroy Sané (54th), who was accurate as in the 2-0 win against Inter Milan (54th), put the 75,000 spectators in the Allianz Arena in a high-intensity premier class game in a party mood – and left Thomas Müller experience a happy 33rd birthday.
In the first half, Lewandowski spared his former club when the world footballer repeatedly appeared promising in front of Bayern captain Manuel Neuer. One of the cornerstones of Bayern’s home win was the strong tackle of Hernández and Dayot Upamecano in the center of defence. The duo was victorious in the Lewandowski fight.
After two wins in two premier class games, coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team could make it into the round of 16 in the coming games against Viktoria Pilsen.
Friendly welcome
All eyes were on Lewandowski – and the Pole was given a friendly welcome at his old place of work, despite the changing theater in the summer. There was a lot of applause from the ranks before the game, and the Pole applauded back demonstratively. “You should always welcome former employees, regardless of their position and role,” said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann on Amazon Prime Video. Accordingly, Lewandowski high-fived each of his former colleagues before the game.
However, he quickly made it clear that the world footballer had not only come to the Allianz Arena to shake hands. After just a few weeks, the top scorer is the linchpin of the resurgent Catalans, who had been beaten by a total of 2:14 goals in the last three duels with Munich.
Self-confidence is apparently back with Lewandowski. And the top scorer initiated the first big chance himself, Manuel Neuer prevented the early deficit with a strong foot defense against Pedri (9th). After that it was Lewandowski himself who – quite untypically – missed a huge chance (18′) and shortly afterwards failed with a header at Neuer (21′). Shortly before the break, Noussair Mazraoui, who came on for the world champion Benjamin Pavard who had been knocked out, cleared a shot from the Pole (42nd). As the game progressed, however, Bayern got a better grip on their old “goal guarantee” (344 goals in 375 games).
It was not until the 30th minute that Marcel Sabitzer caused danger with a long-range shot for the first time. But the shot went just wide of the goal of the German keeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
His goal makes the decision: Leroy Sané
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Image: Reuters
Barca were much closer to the goal than Bayern at this stage. Especially if the Dutch referee Danny Makkelie had awarded a penalty when Alphonso Davies tackled former Dortmund player Ousmane Dembelé. In any case, the Canadian had not hit the ball.
Suddenly Bayern were on top
After the Munich seconds after the restart had to survive a moment of shock when Raphina shot, it was Leon Goretzka who forced ter Stegen to make the first save from a distance. The national player came for Sabitzer at the break. The change had an effect. Seconds later it had already happened. Hernandez headed in after a Joshua Kimmich corner.
Suddenly Bayern were on top. Only four minutes later, Sané followed suit when he was staged by Jamal Musiala and then also sent Ter Stegen. In the first group game against Inter, the changeable striker was the match winner. It was Munich’s callousness that made the difference. Significant for this was Pedri’s huge chance, who put the ball completely free on the post (63′).
