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Comeback after a break
Hungry Lewandowski prevents Bayern bankruptcy
02/20/2022, 5:25 p.m
Record champions Bayern Munich have to fight for a long time against bottom of the table Greuther Fürth. They’re even behind at half-time. Star striker Lewandowski brings Bayern back into the game. In the end it becomes clear, also because the guests hit aluminum several times before.
Robert Lewandowski joked with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and waved relieved to the audience on the lap of honour. After a very weak first half, FC Bayern’s life insurance was in a good mood again in the 4: 1 (0: 1) against bottom SpVgg Greuther Fürth. “We played our football in the second half. We have to go in this direction,” said the double scorer (46th, 82nd) at DAZN.
The league leaders showed an indisposed appearance for a long time, but after two setbacks in the league and in the Champions League, Bayern were able to celebrate after the final whistle. “Now we have two weeks of normal training. We can build up our form there,” said Lewandowski.
This is also urgently needed. Branimir Hrgota even gave the brave Fürth the lead in front of 25,000 spectators in the 42nd minute. Lewandowski equalized just seconds after the break for the German record champions. Significantly, an own goal by Sebastian Griesbeck (62nd) put Bayern on course for victory. Lewandowski added his 28th goal of the season. Choupo-Moting (90+1) made the final score. “We can’t be satisfied with the first half. We played far too slowly and made the wrong decision,” said Lewandowski.
Bayern wave rolled in the second half
Four days after the meager 1-1 in the Champions League at RB Salzburg and a week after the 2-4 defeat in Bochum, Bayern didn’t come into play at all. In this form, the great goals are endangered. For the Fürth, who put up a passionate fight with the Munich team, the situation remains almost hopeless despite the recent upward trend. “It’s difficult to get Bayern under control for 90 minutes. We knew that there would be another wave,” said Marco Meyerhöfer from Fürth.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann had to do without Kingsley Coman (muscular problems) in addition to Alphonso Davies, Leon Goretzka and Manuel Neuer. He also gave Niklas Süle and Serge Gnabry a break. Instead, Dayot Upamecano, Omar Richards and Marcel Sabitzer were in the starting XI. Gnabry came into play in the 25th minute after Corentin Tolisso injured his left thigh.
As expected, Bayern acted superior at first. Fürth barely had the ball and waited skillfully. However, the hosts lacked speed, order, determination and ideas in their actions to almost endanger the well-staggered promoted team. The Munich team also played a lot of passes far too sloppily. The SpVgg kept lurking for counterattacks and thus had the first chance of the game. But Sven Ulreich had no trouble with the shot from Jamie Leweling (27th). When Sabitzer deflected a free kick before the break, however, he had no chance to defend himself. The Bavarians were adopted into the dressing room with a shrill whistle.
Nagelsmann reacted and brought another offensive power for defender Richards in Choupo-Moting. He also switched to a chain of three. And it only took a few seconds to equalize. After preparatory work by Gnabry, Lewandowski pushed the ball over the line. The Bavarians now constricted the guests. However, Munich needed the help of the Franks: After a sharp cross from Thomas Müller, Griesbeck finally deflected the ball decisively.
The defender had already scored in his own goal in the first leg (1:3). Bayern now shifted down a gear again, Fürth came up. Max Christiansen (67th) and Meyerhöfer (71st) only hit the outer post. Only after Lewandowski’s header was everything clear.