Bayern struggle to reach round of 16 against Galatasaray
In Manuel Neuer's impeccable Champions League comeback, the one-two Harry Kane gave FC Bayern Munich an early boost into the round of 16. After missing the post shortly after the break, the top scorer scored two late goals in the 80th and 86th minutes to secure a 2:1 (0:0) win over Galatasaray Istanbul on Wednesday and thus the fourth victory in the fourth group game. Cédric Bakambu's final goal came too late (90.+3).
In a heated atmosphere with many Turkish supporters, the sold-out Allianz Arena briefly boiled over in the 62nd minute when the visitors supposedly led 1-0 after an offside goal by Lucas Torreira. However, the video evidence helped Bayern both in this scene and with Kane's first goal, for which the referees had initially ruled for offside.
For the first time in more than 13 months, captain Neuer led Munich back into the Allianz Arena for a Champions League match. The atmosphere, however, was rather unusual for Bayern. "This will be an away game," said coach Tuchel shortly before kick-off, referring to the many Turkish fans in the stands.
The debates surrounding the head coach's recent jibes at the TV pundit had accompanied the preparations for the match. "We're not just backing Thomas, we're on the same page, there's not a leaf that fits between us," said CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen on DAZN about the furor surrounding Tuchel's criticism of TV pundits Lothar Matthäus and Dietmar Hamann.
As announced, Tuchel had recalled Joshua Kimmich, who was suspended for the 4-0 win in Dortmund, to the starting eleven. The international formed a duo with Leon Goretzka in midfield in place of Konrad Laimer, looked very present and impressed as a ball distributor.
In a fast-paced opening phase, the hosts gradually gained control of the game. As in the 3-1 defeat in the first leg, the team from Istanbul initially tried to attack early in Munich's half. However, Leroy Sané had the first big chance when he failed to beat Galatasaray keeper Fernando Muslera in front of goal (14').
Bayern now clearly had more of the play and created further chances. Jamal Musiala's shot went just wide (28') and shortly afterwards Sané found Muslera again. The 37-year-old captain of the Turkish champions had recovered in time from an elbow injury and was an important support for his now shaky team.
Shortly before the break, the home side had to digest the next problem in this first half of the season, which has been characterized by personnel problems in a tight squad. Musiala went down in the penalty area after a pass from Kane, grabbed his left leg and was unable to continue. Thomas Müller came into the game (40').
Munich had to regroup and the visitors promptly regained their courage. When Mauro Icardi had a great opportunity from close range, Neuer, who had hardly been called upon until then, showed all his class and prevented the visitors from going behind (43').
Bayern's proliferation of chances continued after the break when Kane hit the post (53). But Galatasaray, who were now better offensively, also remained dangerous, with only a close offside by Icardi preventing them from taking the lead (62').
Annoyed by the lack of shooting luck and the visitors' bite, Munich lost the confidence and determination of the first half. But after a free-kick from Kimmich, Kane once again redeemed Bayern with a header - and shortly afterwards, after a counter-attack, also provided the preliminary decision. Müller's capital misplaced pass before Bakambu's goal only briefly added to the tension.
Source: www.dpa.com
