During Manuel Neuer’s flawless Champions League comeback, double packer Harry Kane sent FC Bayern Munich into the round of 16 early.
After missing the post shortly after the break, the top scorer made it 2-1 (0-0) against Galatasaray Istanbul with his two late goals in the 80th and 86th minute and thus the fourth win in the fourth group game. Cédric Bakambu’s connecting 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 appeared to be leading 1-0 after an offside goal by Lucas Torreira. But the video evidence helped Bayern both in this scene and with Kane’s first goal, in which the referee team initially ruled it offside.
The knockout round in the Champions League is no longer achievable for Union Berlin. But the team gets a point in Naples. It could be the turning point of the Union season so far.
For the first time in more than 13 months, captain Neuer led Munich to a Champions League game at the Allianz Arena. The atmosphere, however, was rather unusual for Bayern. “It will be an away game,” Coach Tuchel said shortly before kick-off, looking at the many Turkish fans in the stands.
The debates about the head coach’s recent jibes at the TV experts had accompanied the preparation for the game. “We don’t just have Thomas’ back, we are on the same page, there is no leaf that fits between us,” said CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen at DAZN about the fuss surrounding Tuchel’s criticism of TV experts Lothar Matthäus and Dietmar Hamann.
In his core business, Tuchel, as announced, ordered Joshua Kimmich, who was last suspended in the 4-0 win in Dortmund, back into the starting line-up. The national player formed a duo with Leon Goretzka in midfield instead of Konrad Laimer, looked very present and was a good distributor of the ball.
In a fast-paced start, the hosts only gradually gained control of the game. As with the 3-1 defeat in the first leg, the team from Istanbul tried to make early attacks in the Munich half. But the first big chance went to Leroy Sané, who was denied by Galatasaray keeper Fernando Muslera when he was free in front of the goal (14′).
Bayern now clearly had more of the game and had more chances. Jamal Musiala’s shot went just wide (28′), shortly afterwards Sané found his master again in Muslera. The 37-year-old captain of the Turkish champions was fit in time after an elbow injury and was an important source of support for his now shaky team.
Shortly before the break, the home team had to digest the next worry in this first half of the season, which was characterized by personnel problems in the narrow squad. Musiala sank 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 (40th).
The people of Munich had to reorganize themselves, but the guests promptly regained their courage. With Mauro Icardi’s great opportunity from close range, Neuer, who had hardly been challenged until then, showed his full class and prevented a deficit (43′).
Bayern’s proliferation of chances continued after the break when Kane hit the post (53′). But Galatasaray, now better offensively, remained dangerous, only a narrow offside position by Icardi prevented them from taking the lead (62′).
Annoyed by the visitors’ lack of shooting luck and bite, the Munich team lost the sovereignty and determination of the first half. But after a free kick from Kimmich, Kane once again saved Bayern with a header – and shortly afterwards, after a counterattack, he also made the preliminary decision. Müller’s bad pass before Bakambu’s goal only caused tension for a short time.
Completely exhausted, the professionals from 1. FC Union Berlin high-fived each other; after weeks full of disappointment, joy and new determination returned to their sweaty faces. With good football craftsmanship and a lot of fight in the venerable Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the Iron Men stopped their series of defeats after twelve competitive defeats in a row. “It feels very good,” said captain Christopher Trimmel on the DAZN streaming service after the 1-1 (0-1) draw in the SSC Naples “cauldron”.
The Austrian admitted that the longer such a negative series lasted, the more self-confidence would dwindle. The draw could now “hopefully provide energy for the next few weeks”. Midfielder Rani Khedira emphasized that they deserved to take the point.
With the draw against the Italian champions, coach Urs Fischer’s team even had a chance of overwintering in international business – but at most in the Europa League. After Matteo Politano took the lead in the 39th minute, the recently suspended David Fofana equalized in the 52nd minute on Wednesday evening.
After being eliminated from the DFB Cup and slipping into the relegation battle of the Bundesliga, the Köpenickers are now hoping for the turning point of a so far messed up season. Next Sunday, leaders Bayer Leverkusen will face the right test in the championship. In the master class, the decisive games will come for Union at SC Braga and at home against Real Madrid.
