Stalemate in Champions League quarter-final first leg between Bayern Munich and Arsenal: Two everywhere, ball in the middle

Two everywhere, ball in the middle. Bayern Munich and Arsenal were unable to decide between themselves after the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League, played at the Emirates Stadium. First in front, the Gunners suffered a rapid comeback from the Bavarians in the first period, before having to pull away in turn to obtain the equalizer (2-2). This score is not illogical if we refer to the performances of each side, even if Kingsley Coman found the post on Bayern’s last attempt. And even if Bukayo Saka could have obtained a penalty in the last seconds of the match, by playing the shot better. The return, which will take place in Germany, already promises to be heated and indecisive.

This time, Arsenal did not take a volley. Crushed by Bayern Munich during their last three confrontations in the Champions League (by the same score of 5-1), certainly in another era, the Londoners did not miss the meeting of their first quarter-final since 2010. Even though they didn’t win, probably due to poor management of emotions. It was a match where we should not give in to approximations. As proof, the first two goals came from defensive errors. The opener, signed by Bukayo Saka, was due to high pressure poorly managed by Alphonso Davies (1-0, 12th). The equalizer was obtained after a disagreement between David Raya and William Saliba on a long clearance. It allowed Leon Goretzka to give Serge Gnabry a caviar (1-1, 18th).

Arsenal held on

Relaunched by this goal, Bayern Munich completely turned the tide a few minutes later thanks to Leroy Sané. The German winger hurt the Arsenal defense, both with his speed and his technical ease. On a breakthrough of several dozen meters, he was stopped irregularly by Saliba in the area, synonymous with a penalty. Harry Kane, also very strong in this meeting, recalled good memories of his seasons spent at Tottenham by taking Raya on the wrong foot (1-2, 32nd). After having had it in the bucket, the Bavarians, who were left with two defeats in the league, ended up raising their heads and we thought that Arsenal, still mentally fragile on the European scene, were not going to recover.

Harry Kane was very good against Arsenal on April 9, 2024.

Credit: Getty Images

The Gunners have also been stuck for a long time against a well-established German block. Bayern Munich had their perfect scenario and generally managed the second act well. Mikel Arteta had to pull something out of his hat to get his team out of the impasse. The simultaneous entries of Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard gave the Londoners fresh momentum, and a hint of ideas to boot. After another high recovery, the Brazilian played the Bavarian defense with his dribbles before pretending to strike to shift the Belgian, who punished Manuel Neuer with his right foot (2-2, 76th).

Coman, then Saka could have killed the match

Strangely, after this equalizer and despite a more offensive plan, Arsenal did not want to go for the third goal, probably for fear of conceding a fateful counter. This wait-and-see attitude did not prevent Kingsley Coman from bringing one last thrill into the London area, taking a good cross from Jamal Musiala with the outside of his foot. His attempt passed between Raya’s legs but hit the post (90th). Bayern, too, held their breath when Saka fell after a duel with Neuer (90th + 5). The English striker had succeeded in his outside hook, except that he preferred to force contact afterwards. Damage.

2024-04-09 21:30:00
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