After Paris SG's success on Tuesday against Real Madrid (1-0) and Manchester City against Sporting Lisbon (5-0), the surprise of this first week of the C1 finals came from Austria, where the Bavarian neighbour, 150 kilometers from Salzburg, was held in check.

The "Rekordmeister" had to whip until the 90th minute and a goal from Kingsley Coman to avoid a crushing defeat against an uninhibited Red Bull team.

The joy of the French striker of Bayern Munich Kingsley Coman, after having equalized (1-1) on the ground of Salzburg, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, on February 16, 2022 by KERSTIN JOENSSON AFP

Carried by the unexpected Chikwubuike Adamu, scorer a few minutes after coming into play (21st), Salzburg believed for a long time to hold the feat, sending back to his demons the team of Julian Nagelsmann, exceeded on his sidelines.

The joy of Salzburg striker Chikwubuike Adamu, after opening the scoring at home against Bayern Munich, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, February 16, 2022 Daniel KRUG APA / AFP

The young technician has reason to complain, because his Bayern has already disappointed on Saturday, during the rout in Bochum (4-2) in the Bundesliga.

It is an important setback for the partners of Robert Lewandowski, intractable in the group stage with six victories.

The Pole, already author of nine goals in C1 this season, has not often shown himself in a position to score, leaving the opportunities to his attacking partners.

But Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané have both failed many times, sometimes on the impressive goalkeeper Philipp Kohn, sometimes for lack of precision, under the eyes of German coach Hansi Flick, present in Salzburg alongside the UEFA boss. Alexander Ceferin.

Despite the tenure of four French internationals - Coman, Corentin Tolisso, Benjamin Pavard, Lucas Hernandez, but not Dayot Upamecano - Bayern, winner of the 2020 edition, will not have the right to misstep the return match scheduled for 8 March.

Salah offers an 8th goal

The return leg will present less suspense on the side of Liverpool, in one of the peaks of the round of 16.

On the lawn of Inter Milan, the Reds were indeed able to be patient to make the difference, thanks in particular to the "coaching" of Jürgen Klopp, the German technician not hesitating to bring in four players before the 60th minute.

The first entrant, Roberto Firmino, is also the one who unlocked the meeting, with a skilful header at the near post, from a corner (75th).

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (c) is congratulated by his teammates after opening the scoring against Inter Milan in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg on February 16, 2022 at the San Siro Filippo Stadium MONTEFORTE AFP

It was enough to open the score to release Mohamed Salah, not very dangerous during the meeting, but finally author of his 8th goal in seven C1 matches this season (83rd).

The joy of Liverpool's Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah, congratulated by his teammates, after scoring the second goal against Inter Milan, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, on February 16, 2022 at the San Siro Filippo Stadium MONTEFORTE AFP

Ten days after the CAN final lost by the Egyptian against his partner Sadio Mané's Senegal, Liverpool did not miss their European comeback.

Opposite, the Italian champions vibrated the crossbar of Alisson Becker thanks to Hakan Calhanoglu.

But the Lombard club, absent from the final stages of C1 for ten years and the 2011-12 edition, finally cracked in front of its public.

The round of 16 first leg continues on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 February, with the return of the defending champion, Chelsea, against Lille, or even an Atlético Madrid-Manchester United duel.

© 2022 AFP