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Jubilant Bayern players after winning Group A
Photograph:
Carl Recine / REUTERS
Scene of the game: Bayern spent a lot of money on Harry Kane last summer. But for around 100 million euros, they have not only brought in an outstanding goalscorer, but also an exceptional assister. In the 70th minute, the England captain kept the coolness of a world-class player in the opponent's penalty area and put the ball through wonderfully to Kingsley Coman. The Frenchman scored a well-considered goal for Munich's victory.
Result: FC Bayern Munich won their last group game 1-0 (0-0) at Manchester United and advance to the round of 16 as top of the table with 18 out of a possible <> points. Click here for the report.
Starting situation: FC Bayern had already been confirmed as group winners. United needed a win of their own and a draw in the parallel match between Copenhagen and Galatasaray to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
First half: United needed to do something, but initially didn't want to. Without being bothered by too annoying pressing, the Munich team gained a visual superiority and the first semi-dangerous situations. Noussair Mazraoui and Coman were twice unable to find a taker for their crosses from an open position on the right wing. The hosts initially had nothing to offer apart from a long-range shot by Luke Shaw (23rd minute). A wonderful solo run by Leroy Sané lacked the right pass in the end (27th), minutes later Sané could not refine a cross from Coman (32nd). 55 percent possession for the visitors, but 0-0 at half-time, like in Copenhagen. United were just one goal away from progressing.
Tuchel says A instead of B: For weeks, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel has been complaining about the high workload on his players. A group game, which is insignificant for the situation in the table, would be just right to let the second row play. But Tuchel fielded his best possible starting eleven. After the 1-5 defeat in Frankfurt, the first defeat of the Bundesliga season, the team must "show personality and quality," said Tuchel. That's why we only made one change. It's a challenge for the team, it's a challenge," he said before the game. Only the recovered Jamal Musiala came into the team for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Second half: Not only Bayern, but also United needed to make amends after last weekend's 0-3 defeat to Bournemouth. At the beginning of the second half, the Red Devils attacked earlier. This opened up space for the Munich team against the second-worst defence in the Champions League after five matchdays, which they initially did not know how to use. When the attacking momentum of the disappointing hosts completely ebbed away again after a brief flare-up, the Bavarians struck. The travelling Munich fans celebrated, the United fans showed more commitment in the boos after the final whistle than the players had in the previous 90 minutes.
A team responds: FCB have suffered two bitter defeats this season: But just like after the cup elimination at third-division Saarbrücken and the subsequent 4-0 win in Dortmund, the Munich team came back with a concentrated performance after the debacle in Frankfurt. The team showed, as the coach wanted, personality and quality.
Mister Notnagel: You don't get too close to Jonny Evans if you classify him as a rather rustic accessory in a United squad peppered with luxury players, despite his more than 100 caps. The club has lost almost half a billion euros in transfers over the past three years, but when Harry Maguire had to leave the pitch injured in the 40th minute, coach Erik ten Hag only had the 35-year-old Northern Irishman available as a backup in central defence. Evans had already made his Champions League debut in 2007. Only Manuel Neuer was able to keep up on this Champions League evening. The Bayern goalkeeper played the 700th competitive game of his club career.
Theatre of Nightmares: Old Trafford is often referred to as the "Theatre of Dreams". After the 0-1 defeat to Bayern and Copenhagen's 1-0 win to Galatasaray, however, the European nightmare was perfect for ten Hag and his players. Copenhagen (!) deservedly advances to the next round as group runners-up, Galatasaray have secured third place by winning the direct duel ahead of United, which entitles them to continue playing in the Europa League. Only United will be watching as the European knockout rounds resume in the new year. With this squad, with this financial commitment, a disaster.
Serial offenders: In the 40th group game in a row in the Champions League, the Munich team remained undefeated. The last was in September 2017, a 0-3 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain. To put this into perspective, the coach was Tuchel's predecessor Carlo Ancelotti, who had to leave after the bankruptcy.
Next stop round of 16: Next Monday, the draw for the Champions League round of 16 will take place at the House of European Football in Nyon. For the Bavarians as group winners, Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven and SSC Napoli are among the possible opponents. Most recently, FCB were eliminated in the quarter-finals three times in a row.