FC Bayern wins the game at Feyenoord Rotterdam – but is already 2-0 behind at halftime. After an unnecessary defeat with an excess of opportunities, the Munich team has to worry about direct entry into the round of 16 of the Champions League. Tough weeks threaten, Feyenoord fans respond with malice.
Numerous great chances, but no goal: Bayern Munich suffered a bitter setback on the arduous path to the “title at home” despite a storming run. The players crept into the dressing room in the pouring rain of Rotterdam with their heads hanging. The fans in the cauldron “De Kuip” maliciously sang “Goodbye”. After a clear 0:3 (0:2) at Feyenoord Rotterdam, the Munich team has to worry about a direct place in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
The frustration of the vastly superior record champions after the bitter setback was great. “In the crucial moments we didn’t have the necessary determination,” said captain Manuel Neuer after the defeat, “Feyenoord was more bilious.” The result was “very, very bitter” and his team didn’t look good, especially “in the counterattack situations”. The goalkeeper also took the people in front of him to task: “We weren't ice-cold enough in front of the goal,” said Neuer, “and we didn't play through to the end.” Joshua Kimmich also criticized “the large number of opportunities that we are leaving behind”. The captain of the national team was harsh in his assessment: “We have to admit that we are not a top team at the moment.”
Even a win on the last matchday of the reformed league phase against Slovan Bratislava, who still have no points, could not be enough for the targeted top eight. After their third defeat in the premier class, the ambitious Bavarians are threatened with the unpopular play-offs in February. This would take up unnecessary additional energy in view of March with the round of 16 duels in the Champions League and the Nations League games with the national teams. On February 15th, the Munich team also has to face the champions Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. A week later there is the next top duel against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Santiago Gimenez gave Feyenoord the lead in the 21st minute. The Mexican added a penalty shortly before the break (45th + 9th) before Ayase Ueda (89th) completed the Munich debacle. Despite their clear superiority and all their efforts, Bayern found no means against the very compact fourth-place team in the Eredivisie. Feyenoord keeper Justin Bijlow also had a brilliant day.
Musiala back in the starting line-up
Jamal Musiala was back in the starting eleven for Bayern for the first time in the new year. Leroy Sané had to go to the bench to replace the recently injured national player. It was the only change coach Vincent Kompany made after the 3-2 win against VfL Wolfsburg.
-Sports director Max Eberl expected a “complicated game” in “De Kuip”. Above all, we have to fight against this audience.” Neuer also warned: “We really have to show everything.”
But initially everyone lacked perspective. Referee François Letexier stopped the game after just a few seconds because the fans set off fireworks before kick-off and there was nothing left to see in the stadium. Only after a six-minute break did things continue – with the first chance for the hosts through Gimenez (9th).
Guerreiro's unnecessary foul
As a result, Bayern took control without initially causing any danger. The Dutch were different, as they immediately countered the far-advanced Bavarians. Gimenez gave Neuer no chance with a powerful shot.
Bayern clearly remained in control. But Kingsley Coman (28th and 33rd) and Harry Kane (42nd) failed due to the strong reaction of Bijlow. It was time to take revenge: Raphaël Guerreiro, who had recently substituted for the ailing Alphonso Davies, unnecessarily fouled Calvin Stengs in the penalty area, and Gimenez accepted the gift.
Kompany reacted at half-time and brought on Sané for defender Konrad Laimer. The Munich team increased the risk more and more. But Bijlow was at the post again in the Bavarian power play against Kane (54th) and Musiala (60th). In addition, Sané only hit the post (70th). Even the substitutions of Serge Gnabry, Aleksandar Pavlović and Thomas Müller did not bring about the hoped-for turnaround.
