FC Bayern managed the much-needed win against Benfica Lisbon. However, the success was overshadowed by an emergency medical intervention.
It’s possible: thanks to “header monster” Jamal Musiala and influenced by unfortunate external circumstances, FC Bayern Munich celebrated their much-needed second victory in the Champions League – albeit with due restraint.
Against Benfica Lisbon, coach Vincent Kompany’s team managed a more than deserved 1-0 (0-0) with a clear advantage and the best opportunities. With six points from four games, the Munich team is back on course for direct participation in the round of 16.
The match winner was Musiala with his third header in the last four games (67th). Under the impression that the arena was largely silent from the third minute onwards due to an emergency operation, the Munich team were dominant and had the best chances even before they took the lead, especially through Harry Kane and Michael Olise. However, they met an excellent Anatoliy Trubin in goal for Benfica, who had started the game with six points.
In order to get into the top eight, Bayern, who are in 17th place after the fourth matchday, would have to win three of their remaining four games – 16 points would most likely be enough to reach the round of the last 16 directly. The next opponent on the rocky road to the hoped-for “Finale at home 2.0” is Paris Saint-Germain (November 26th). The games follow against Shakhtar Donetsk in Gelsenkirchen (December 10th), at Feyenoord Rotterdam (January 22nd, 2025) and against Slovan Bratislava (January 29th).
Emergency doctor deployment in the middle rank
Even before kick-off, the game was marked by unfortunate external circumstances. Initially, kick-off was postponed by 15 minutes to 9:15 p.m. because there were significant public transport problems transporting fans to the arena in Fröttmaning. The subway line 6 was affected by a signal box malfunction and a fire brigade operation. Of course, what happened next was dramatic.
Shortly after kick-off it was completely quiet in the south curve. It soon became clear that there was an emergency operation in the middle rank. Out of sympathy, the fans refrained from cheering and chanting, and after the end of the game after a good half hour of play, they also rolled up their flags. “Life is above sport,” said the fan umbrella organization “Club No. 12” via Instagram.
Meanwhile, the game went by without any major highlights. As expected, Bayern immediately went forward. It quickly became clear that the guests would rely on the counterattack with former Munich player Renato Sanches in the control center.
Laimer and Gnabry in the starting line-up
Despite their superiority, Bayern found it difficult to create scoring opportunities. Kompany, who had called Konrad Laimer and Serge Gnabry into his starting line-up this time instead of Raphael Guerreiro and Kingsley Coman, took advantage of a short break after 20 minutes to treat Trubin, called his players to the sidelines and gave instructions.
In fact, the Munich team then came increasingly closer to the Portuguese record champions’ goal. Kane initially failed because of Trubin (33′), a little later and within a few seconds the Ukrainian parried shots again from Kane and Olise (36′).
Even after the break, after which Benfica’s coach Bruno Lage substituted former Heidenheim player Jan-Niklas Beste, Trubin couldn’t complain about the lack of activity. Again Kane (47th) and Olise (49th) failed at the goalkeeper. However, he was powerless against Musiala’s new heading strength.
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