In the end, however, it becomes clear: FC Bayern are struggling a lot in Salzburg

Tuesday, November 03, 2020

FC Bayern is late early in Salzburg, turns the game around and then gets serious again. Joshua Kimmich’s fine feet and determination finally ensure that the defending champion still wins significantly. And, of course, Robert Lewandowski.

Bayern Munich’s record-winning ice creams are well prepared for the Bundesliga summit against Borussia Dortmund. The unstoppable triple winner also won his third group match in the Champions League at Red Bull Salzburg thanks to a brilliant 6-2 (2-1) final sprint and extended his impressive streak in Europe. With the 14th consecutive victory in the premier class, the German record champions took a big step towards the round of 16.

“We had good and bad phases, also in the second half. But in the end we came a long way and then we deserved to win,” said Jérôme Boateng, whose goal to make it 3-2 broke Salzburg’s resistance. Leroy Sané added about Sky: “We made it harder than the result says.”

Austrian serial champions Salzburg took the lead in an energetic game in the 4th minute through Mergim Berisha. Bayern came through a penalty converted by Robert Lewandowski (21st) to equalize. An own goal from Rasmus Kristensen (44th) gave the guests the advantage, who did not win in the premier class 20 months ago (1: 3 against Liverpool). Masaya Okugawa’s draw (66th) countered Boateng (79th), Sané (83rd), Lewandowski (88th) and Lucas Hernández (90th + 2) as if in a frenzy.

After the riots around head of defense David Alaba, Bayern coach Hansi Flick demanded the correct response from his professionals: the record champions did it without Niklas Süle, who tested positive for Corona, and without Leon Goretzka (problems in calves). Although the Munich team revealed some gaps on defense against the dangerous and daring Salzburgers, they showed it four days before Saturday’s main game. (6.30 pm / Sky and on the live ticker on ntv.de) at BVB Moral. Both teams competed with a black belt in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack in Vienna. There was also a minute of silence before the game.

Salzburg starts well, Bavaria ends well

Salzburg had a tailor-made start. After Boateng was able to block a shot from Sekou Koita, Berisha resolutely took advantage of the rebound in the goalkeeper’s corner. The team of successful trainer Flick, who took over from Niko Kovac exactly one year ago, was only briefly surprised. Serge Gnabry almost leveled shortly after, but Andre Ramalho scraped the ball off the line.

Ramalho, for his part, had the opportunity to make it 2-0 (17th), but failed in free practice because of Manuel Neuer. This should take revenge: after a stupid foul by Enock Mwepu on Thomas Müller, Lewandowski converted the freezing penalty. It was an open and fast match in the first round, in which Salzburg was able to upset Bayern on several occasions. Time and time again, RB took advantage of the mistakes made by the Munich team to change quickly.

But Bayern also had their chances: Lewandowski gave the best of them (37th), before Müller crossed with power and Kristensen put the ball into his own goal. After the change, RB got off to a better start. But Neuer brilliantly stopped against Mwepu. Then Bayern took control. Gnabry (62nd) and Coman with a shot off the crossbar (64th) missed the preliminary decision.

Salzburg counterattacked, Neuer prevented it worse later. After a corner kick from Joshua Kimmich, Boateng headed the redeemer 3-2, Salzburg collapsed.