CL success follows league debacle: FC Bayern sends Manchester United into the abyss

League debacle is followed by CL success
FC Bayern sends Manchester United into the abyss

December 12, 2023, 10:55 p.m

For FC Bayern, the last Champions League preliminary round game is insignificant; the Munich team has long since been confirmed as group winners. Manchester United, on the other hand, needs a win to avoid being the last to be completely eliminated from the European Cup. But the Bundesliga champions are relentless.

FC Bayern passed the tricky test of character in the “Theater of Dreams” with flying colors and appears to be prepared for the demanding final stretch of the league before Christmas. Coach Thomas Tuchel’s team fought to a 1-0 (0-0) draw at Manchester United in the group final of the Champions League and showed a different, better face after the disaster in Frankfurt.

“We talked before the game that we had to show more passion, more fire, more energy here,” said Harry Kane, who set up the winning goal for Kingsley Coman (70th). “It’s good to get a win. We’re very happy with how the group stage went,” said the England captain on his return to the island.

Coman ensured the first success at Old Trafford since 2001, also back then with a 1-0 win. It was the record-breaking Bayern’s ninth away win in a row in the preliminary round. It was also made possible by Joker Thomas Müller, who shortly after his substitution (67′) replaced Harry Kane, whose pass was used by Coman. However, the goalscorer had to leave the field injured (76th).

While the Red Devils quietly said goodbye to the premier class and also missed out on the consolation of the Europa League as bottom of the group, the Munich team moved into the knockout round with the recommendation of 40 preliminary round games without defeat. However, the winner of Group A will have to go one step further in February and March against a runner-up. The draw will take place on Monday (December 18th, 12 p.m.).

The evening before, Tuchel had certified that his team lacked leadership under the impression of the debacle at Eintracht (1:5) – and took matters into his own hands. He coached very intensively, suffered and struggled. He worked his gum persistently in the style of the great Sir Alex Ferguson, arching his back when he missed a pass.

Neuer convinces at number 700

When United’s defense chief Harry Maguire received lengthy treatment before being substituted due to injury (40′), Tuchel brought in his midfield chief Joshua Kimmich for a detailed discussion. His team, which he only changed in one position with Jamal Musiala instead of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, had everything under control until then.

Concentrated, grippy, confident – these Bayern seemed to have understood and were ready for the final tasks of the year against Stuttgart and VfL Wolfsburg. However, there was a lack of speed in the forward transition game and a lack of penetration.

Returning homer Kane, who often dropped deep as usual, had the first opportunity (10th). While Tuchel tried to organize things from outside, Kimmich tried to take control of the game. However, his long-range shot (14th) was too unplaced. Shortly afterwards, Musiala fell in a duel with Maguire in the penalty area (17th) – not enough for a penalty.

Manchester had little presence in the Bayern penalty area, Luke Shaw’s long-range shot was safely punched away by captain Manuel Neuer in his 700th competitive game at club level (24th). Leroy Sané missed Bayern’s best opportunity when he missed the finish after a great solo effort (26′). When the game restarted, the Red Devils acted more structured and put Bayern under pressure for a longer period of time for the first time. But the Munich team stood their ground and never let themselves down.