Benfica left Munich with a 1-0 defeat, in a game related to the fourth round of the Champions League. The Reds entered the game with great caution and low blocking, managing to contain the Bavarians’ offensive momentum in the first half.
In the second half, the Germans continued to charge and managed to score through Musiala midway through the second half. With this defeat, the Eagles fall to 19th place, with the same six points brought from the last round.
One way against the wall
For this game, Bruno Lage surprised everyone and everything by making not only changes to the lineup, but also to the tactical system. In addition to not being able to count on the injured Bah, the coach left Florentino, Di María, Pavlidis on the bench, promoting António Silva, Kaboré, Renato Sanches and Amdouni to the starting lineup.
It was thus with a line of three central defenders that Benfica started the match, also betting on the mobility of their attack and, as Bruno Lage himself said, removing the main offensive references to the opponent. On the German side, Kompany replaced Raphael Guerreiro and Kingsley Coman for Gnabry and Laimer.
As expected, Bayern took control of the match from the opening whistle, pushing Benfica to their last stronghold; In turn, the Reds remained compact in their midfield and looked for quick outlets to attack.
Despite this scenario, the first half hour passed without any shots being taken at either goal, Harry Kane scored the first in the 32nd minute. The Germans’ initiatives were emerging, especially in the corridors, but did not culminate in moments of completion.
The first opportunity only came in the 33rd minute when Bayern took advantage of a moment of unbalance for the Reds, but Kane’s shot ended up in the hands of Trubin. The Ukrainian goalkeeper was forced to apply himself six minutes later, denying the Germans a goal twice in a row.
The break arrived in a one-way game, where Benfica were unable to get the ball close to Neuer’s goal.
Turn the record over, play the same
For the second half, Bruno Lage brought on Beste and Pavlidis in place of Kaboré and Amdouni. However, the tone of the game remained, with the Germans having the ball and trying to break through the Reds’ defensive block. Debutant Sané tested Trubin who denied the winger the goal with a great save.
With the arrival of Di María, to partner in attack with Pavlidis, Benfica tried to have more possession of the ball in their offensive midfield; this was actually happening, but without it translating into threats to Neuer. In turn, it was Sané who continued to try his luck, forcing Trubin’s new defense in the 65th minute.
However, the Reds’ resistance ended midway through the second half. Cross from Sané on the right for Kane, and he heads in to watch https://twitter.com/sporttvportugal/status/1854279039277564306
Despite the goal, the game did not change. Bayern remained on top, while Benfica was looking for an opportunity to leave in transition. To try to change this scenario, Bruno Lage chose Arthur Cabral, instead of Kokçu.
But the changes did not bring anything new to the game and Bayern controlled it with relative ease until the end.
With this result, Benfica maintains the six points brought from the last round, occupying 19th place in the standings at this time.
