Concern for Jamal Musiala
Harry Kane saves FC Bayern, VAR causes a curiosity
November 8, 2023, 10:57 p.m
FC Bayern has to face a tough fight in the Champions League. Galatasaray Istanbul plays courageously and makes life difficult for the favorites. He can cheer at the end. When star striker Harry Kane scored the winning goal, the VAR caused a curiosity.
During Manuel Neuer’s flawless Champions League comeback, double packer Harry Kane sent FC Bayern Munich into the round of 16 early. After missing the post shortly after the break, the top scorer made it 2-1 (0-0) against a strong Galatasaray Istanbul team with his two late goals in the 80th and 86th minutes and thus his fourth win in the season fourth group game clear. Cédric Bakambu’s connecting goal came too late (90+3). “It was a tough game. But I’m very happy that we’re in the knockout phase. I’m enjoying it, I’m happy with the team,” said Kane on DAZN.
In a heated atmosphere with many Turkish supporters, the sold-out Allianz Arena briefly boiled over in the 62nd minute when the visitors appeared to be leading 1-0 after a narrow goal by Lucas Torreira for offside. But the video evidence helped Bayern both in this scene and with Kane’s first goal, in which the referee team initially ruled it offside. But then there was confusion in the arena as the scene was even checked twice. What a curiosity. “That was a bit strange. I have no idea what they were checking,” said Kane after his header.
For the first time in more than 13 months, captain Neuer led Munich to a Champions League game at the Allianz Arena. The atmosphere, however, was rather unusual for Bayern. “It will be an away game,” Coach Tuchel said shortly before kick-off, looking at the many Turkish fans in the stands. The debates about the head coach’s recent jibes at the TV experts had accompanied the preparation for the game. “We’re not just supporting Thomas, we’re on the same page, there’s no leaf that fits between us,” said CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen at DAZN about the fuss surrounding Tuchel’s criticism of TV experts Lothar Matthäus and Dietmar Hamann.
Tuchel relies on Kimmich again
In his core business, Tuchel, as announced, ordered Joshua Kimmich, who was last suspended in the 4-0 win in Dortmund, back into the starting line-up. The national player formed a duo with Leon Goretzka in midfield instead of Konrad Laimer, looked very present and was a good distributor of the ball. In a fast-paced start, the hosts only gradually gained control of the game. As with the 3-1 defeat in the first leg, the team from Istanbul tried to make early attacks in the Munich half. But the first big chance went to Leroy Sané, who was denied by Galatasaray keeper Fernando Muslera when he was free in front of the goal (14′).
Bayern now clearly had more of the game and had more chances. Jamal Musiala’s shot went just wide (28′), shortly afterwards Sané found his master again in Muslera. The 37-year-old captain of the Turkish champions was fit in time after an elbow injury and was an important source of support for his now shaky team. Shortly before the break, the home team had to digest the next worry in this first half of the season, which was characterized by personnel problems in the narrow squad. Musiala sank down in the penalty area after a pass from Kane, grabbed his left leg and was unable to continue. Thomas Müller came into the game (40th). “It’s a muscle injury. In the worst case, a fiber tear,” said Tuchel on DAZN. Musiala will therefore be out for the league game against newly promoted 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday. The national team’s international matches against Turkey on November 18th and against Austria three days later are also in danger.
New prevents the residue brilliantly
The people of Munich had to reorganize themselves, but the guests promptly regained their courage. With Mauro Icardi’s great opportunity from close range, Neuer, who had hardly been challenged until then, showed his full class and prevented a deficit (43′). Bayern’s proliferation of chances continued after the break when Kane hit the post (53′). But Galatasaray, now much better offensively, remained dangerous, only a narrow offside position by Icardi prevented them from taking the lead (62′).
Annoyed by the guests’ lack of shooting luck and bite, the Munich team lost the sovereignty and determination of the first half. But after a free kick from Kimmich, Kane once again saved Bayern with a header – and shortly afterwards, after a counterattack, he made the preliminary decision. Joker Mathys Tel set up perfectly for Kane. Müller’s bad pass before Bakambu’s goal only caused tension for a short time.