Initial reactions and observations
- It’s strange how Bayern Munich played so much better here compared to the first leg in Turkey, but scored fewer goals and ended with a closer scoreline. Results are just so different from performances.
- Thomas Müller is usually very influential but this was a game to forget for him. He missed a 1v1 with the keeper and otherwise outside of his pass to find Mathys Tel in space (which led to the assist for Harry Kane’s opener) he was mostly ineffective. Perhaps it’s rust or he wasn’t suited to the rhythm after being subbed on. Still, not good at all — this coming from someone who values the Raumdeuter’s contributions highly.
- Kingsley Coman played like a headless chicken again, bringing an end to a long string of good performances. He may just be tired — the players need more rotation.
- Joshua Kimmich may never beat the backpassing allegations. At least he got an assist from his free kick, though. Has anyone noticed that Bayern have been scoring a lot from set pieces lately?
- Harry Kane is excellent. That is all.
Full time: Bayern Munich 2-1 Galatasaray.
90’ + 3’ — Goal. Galatasaray get one back.
86’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Kane makes it 2-0 via Mathys Tel.
79’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Harry Kane makes it 1-0 … but is it offside?
Update: NOT OFFSIDE!
72’ — Subs: Dayot Upamecano and Leroy Sane come off for Konrad Laimer and Mathys Tel.
62’ — Offside! Torreira scored but Icardi was offside in the buildup, just barely.
52’ — Harry Kane hits the post!
45’ — The second half is underway.
Halftime observations and analysis
- Much better so far than the game at Istanbul, but Bayern Munich really should be doing a lot better at home against Galatasaray.
- If not for Manuel Neuer, Mauro Icardi would’ve had a couple tonight. Guy’s been a wall at the back.
- Joshua Kimmich is fighting for dear life, he may be cooked if he can’t show a better performance tonight.
- Musiala’s injury shows why rotation is important. He’s played every game since coming back from a previous injury and now it’s resulted in what looks like a hamstring tear.
- Harry Kane sometimes plays more like a DM than a striker.
Halftime: Bayern Munich 0-0 Galatasaray.
40’ — Sub: Thomas Müller is on for Jamal Musiala, who seems to have pulled a hamstring.
38’ — Musiala is down and has signaled the bench, bad news.
30’ — Minutes and no goals. Bayern Munich are not cooking.
Kickoff: We’re underway!
One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! It’s as we all expected, with Bayern Munich opting for a standard 4-2-3-1 consisting of Harry Kane as the striker, Jamal Musiala at attacking midfield, Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman in their usual spots, and Joshua Kimmich returning to the XI. Noussair Mazraoui, Leon Goretzka, and Dayot Upamecano all start despite being doubtful before the game.
Bayern Munich are finally back at the Allianz Arena to host Turkish champions Galatasaray in the Champions League.
With qualification to the Round of 16 within reach, Thomas Tuchel hopes to continue his unbeaten start in the CL this season and get ever so closer to finishing the final group stage of this format unbeaten. The only problem is, Galatasaray put tremendous pressure on Bayern the last time these two sides met, and the coach needs his team to be on its A game tonight. With all the stars he has, there’s only really one acceptable result from this game.
It’s Bayern time.
While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our new podcast episode! Listen to it below or on Spotify.
Match Info
Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Time: 9 pm local time, 3 pm ET
TV/streaming: Paramount+, Find Your Country
Tips for commenting:
- If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself! We’re
mostlyvery friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog. - If the comments section starts to slow down for you, just hit the refresh button and keep commenting. It’s not necessary to have the whole comments loaded at one time while you’re just casually following along.
- Keep the sorting to “newest” to easily follow the conversation. It puts the newest comments at the top.
- Here at BFW we celebrate every goal like they do in the stadium: with a chant. The goal chants are for everyone to participate in! Even if you’re lagging behind the others, keep replying to the most recent call of the player’s name. Even if you missed the first call, just start from the second, and so on.
- While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.
Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!
Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Sign up for an SBNation account and join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news, podcasts or something completely different, we have it all.
Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
