Bayern Munich 1-0 SL Benfica: A Grudging Win and a Frustrating Night
Bayern Munich edged past SL Benfica in a tight and tense encounter at the Allianz Arena, securing a 1-0 victory thanks to a late goal from Leroy Sané. The game was a far cry from the free-flowing, goal-laden performances we've come to expect from the Bavarian giants.
A Frustrating First Half
The first half was a frustrating watch for Bayern fans. Despite dominating possession, the team struggled to break down Benfica's stubborn defense. The Portuguese side, playing with a disciplined and compact formation, made life difficult for the likes of Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman, who found themselves constantly surrounded by yellow shirts.
A Moment of Magic
The breakthrough came in the 84th minute when Sané, after a moment of individual brilliance, curled a delightful shot into the back of the net. The goal was a relief for Bayern, who had looked increasingly frustrated as the match wore on.
Post-Match Ratings
Bayern Munich:
- Manuel Neuer (7/10): Made a few crucial saves, but wasn't really tested too often.
- Benjamin Pavard (6/10): Solid defensively, but lacked his usual attacking threat.
- Dayot Upamecano (7/10): A commanding presence in the heart of the defense, keeping Benfica's attackers at bay.
- Lucas Hernandez (6/10): Struggled to impose himself on the game, occasionally looking shaky.
- Alphonso Davies (7/10): A constant threat down the left flank, but couldn't find the final pass.
- Joshua Kimmich (6/10): Controlled the midfield, but lacked his usual creative spark.
- Leon Goretzka (7/10): Worked tirelessly in midfield, providing defensive solidity.
- Serge Gnabry (5/10): A quiet game for the usually prolific winger, unable to find his rhythm.
- Jamal Musiala (6/10): Showed flashes of brilliance, but ultimately couldn't impact the game.
- Kingsley Coman (5/10): Struggled to create anything meaningful against Benfica's resolute defense.
- Leroy Sané (8/10): The match-winner with a stunning goal, displaying his trademark quality.
SL Benfica:
- Odysseas Vlachodimos (8/10): Made several outstanding saves to keep Benfica in the game.
- Alexander Bah (7/10): Excellent defensively, shutting down Bayern's attacks down his flank.
- Antonio Silva (7/10): An impressive performance from the young center-back, demonstrating his composure and maturity.
- Morato (7/10): Solid in defense, helping Benfica maintain their shape and discipline.
- Alejandro Grimaldo (6/10): Worked hard, but struggled to contain Davies' pace.
- Florentino Luís (7/10): A key figure in Benfica's midfield, winning the majority of his tackles.
- João Mário (6/10): Showed glimpses of his quality, but couldn't influence the game enough.
- David Neres (6/10): Tried to inject some creativity, but lacked the necessary support.
- Gonçalo Ramos (6/10): A constant threat to the Bayern defense, but couldn't find the back of the net.
- Rafa Silva (5/10): Quiet game for the usually dangerous winger.
- Chiquinho (6/10): Came on as a substitute and provided Benfica with an extra attacking threat.
A Grudging Respect
Despite the underwhelming performance, Bayern ultimately emerged victorious. The win was a testament to their resilience and determination, but it was a far cry from the dominant displays we've seen from them in recent seasons. Credit to Benfica for their disciplined and organized performance, which forced Bayern to work hard for their victory.