Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
The dream remains vibrant! FC Bayern, fueled by passion, clinched a spot in the Champions League semifinals for the first time since their 2020 triple crown. Thanks to Joshua Kimmich, dubbed the "header monster," and a robust tactical display, they edged out in a tense 1-0 victory (0-0 at half-time) against England's powerhouse, FC Arsenal, in the quarter-final second leg. This triumph sets the stage for a potential electrifying encounter at Wembley against Borussia Dortmund. If the inconsistent team can showcase their top-tier form, they might just elevate the brief yet intense tenure of their coach, Thomas Tuchel, and dodge a season without trophies since 2012. Yet, a formidable challenge looms early May against either the storied Real Madrid or the current champions Manchester City.
Kimmich's crucial header in the 63rd minute paved their path to the finals. Urged on by Tuchel, Bayern pursued a second goal that would have sealed their advancement following a 2-2 tie in the initial leg. Despite not scoring the decisive goal, even with Jamal Musiala's close call in the 90th minute, the celebration was immense.
The Allianz Arena, filled to its 75,000 capacity, was buzzing from the start, especially the devoted Bayern fans in the Sudkurve. Tuchel was immediately in full swing, adjusting and commanding intensely. His key tactic involved curtailing Arsenal's dynamic right wing, led by the vivacious Bukayo Saka, by reshuffling his left flank—Noussair Mazraoui stepped in for the suspended Alphonso Davies, and Tuchel’s trusted pupil Raphael Guerreiro took over for an injured Serge Gnabry.
This adjustment meant that Bayern stalwart Thomas Muller had to delay his 150th Champions League match. In his absence, Leroy Sane took a critical role on the right, starting strong by eluding three defenders in the fourth minute, setting up Harry Kane for an early chance.
The match quickly escalated into a tactical battle described by DAZN analyst Sami Khedira as "chess at the highest level." Both teams played cautiously, avoiding high-risk pressing. Bayern’s gameplay initially appeared static, but quickened when Guerreiro made a swift play, nearly allowing Mazraoui to score in the 23rd minute. The game then opened up, leading to chances on both ends, with Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli missing a significant opportunity.
Tensions rose when Saka was down after a face shot, and Mazraoui saw a clear shot at goal halted by referee Danny Makkelie, who hadn't signalled to proceed.
The second half started dramatically: Goretzka's header from Kimmich’s cross hit the post, followed by a close shot from Guerreiro. During a pause, Tuchel energetically directed Musiala. After a midfield error by Konrad Laimer, Tuchel intensified his instructions, sensing the need for an uplift in their play. Although a Kimmich corner missed, Tuchel’s frustration turned to jubilation shortly after, thanks to Kimmich’s effort. A play initiated by Sane ended with Guerreiro delivering a perfect cross for Kimmich, whose header had everyone on edge. Experience the thrill of the game and more at Stay casino 20 free spins.
1:0 Kimmich (64')
Neuer - Kimmich, de Ligt, Dier, Mazraoui (75. Kim) - Laimer, Goretzka - L. Sane (89. Upamecano), Musiala, Guerreiro - Kane
Raya - White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu (86. Nketiah) - Jorginho (68. Gabriel Jesus), odegaard, Rice - Saka, Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli (68. Trossard)
Laimer (55.), Kimmich (90.+2.) / White (84.), Gabriel Jesus (90.+3.)
90.+6. Final whistle!
90.+5. Saka is fouled just outside the sixteen. The Gunners immediately take the lead. There is a corner.
90.+3. The next yellow card goes to Gabriel Jesus.
90.+2. Kimmich is penalised with a yellow card. The reason is a foul on Havertz.
90.+1. Four minutes added on top.
90. From Laimer via Kane, the ball reaches Musiala in the transition play, who has made it into the penalty area and finishes too weakly and out of position.
89. It becomes more defensive. Tuchel sends Upamecano onto the pitch, Sane is off.
88. odegaard has a shot on goal on the other side of the pitch. Neuer, who plays a strong game, defends. However, the referee did not see this and whistles for a goal kick in favour of FCB. Lucky for FCB.
87. Neuer shoots out, Kane extends. Musiala runs towards Raya, is pressurised, but is able to finish with the outside of his foot - into Raya's hands.
86. Tomiyasu is finished for today, he is substituted for Nketiah.
86. Another foul, but this time without a card. Musiala hits Gabriel Jesus on the foot.
84. White gets a yellow card for a foul on Guerreiro.
83. The score is currently 3:2 in favour of the German record champions after a back-and-forth game. FCB still have eight minutes of normal time left to make the semi-finals.
80. Bayern lose the ball and Arsenal make quick work of it. Rice sends on Gabriel Jesus, but his shot is completely wide. But then the offside whistle sounds.
78. The newly substituted Kim brings down Saka. Arsenal have a free kick. odegaard takes it, the cross is dangerous but a little too wide.
75. Then Tuchel makes his first substitution. Mazraoui leaves the pitch and Kim comes on.
75. Gabriel Jesus takes a corner from the left, which is again cleared for a corner by Neuer.
72. The home side are clearly the better team. Sane with another strong dribble, but then gets stuck and Kimmich hits another shot. Bayern corner.
68. Arsenal make their first change: Gabriel Jesus comes on for Jorginho, Trossard replaces Gabriel Martinelli.
67. Bayern's assistant coach Zsolt Low complains too much about the referee from the touchline and is shown a yellow card.
64. FC BAYERN MuNCHEN v FC Arsenal 1:0! Sane crosses from the right into the centre. The ball flies over Raya, but is still hot because Guerreiro is on the other side. And he hits his own cross from the left, Kimmich runs in and smashes the ball in with a powerful header.
61. Musiala wins the ball and passes to Goretzka, who then tries to shoot immediately. His shot is deflected out for a corner.
57. Guerreiro's pass for Kane does not arrive. The ball seems to be cleared, but Gabriel and Raya fail to communicate properly and the defender almost plays the ball into his own goal.
55. The first yellow card of the match goes to Laimer. The central midfielder holds odegaard and does not allow him to run.
52. Tomiyasu is then booed by the Bayern fans. Of course, they don't know what the actual problem with the interruption was.
50. There is an interruption because Tomiyasu is lying on the floor. Apparently a contact lens has fallen out and is being replaced.
47. There's a chance to take the lead! Kimmich crosses into the five-metre area in front of the penalty area, where Goretzka directs the ball onto the crossbar with a powerful header. Guerreiro then hits another shot, which Raya parries off the post and out of play.
46. There were no changes at half-time.
46 - The game continues.
Half-time : We haven't seen many chances in the first 45 minutes. A cross from Mazraoui rolled just wide of the Arsenal goal. Musiala had a good shot that Raya was able to save. At the other end, Martinelli posed the biggest threat, but there was no getting past Neuer.
45.+2 Break.
45.+1 One minute added on.
40 . It remains a first half with few chances.
36. Then it gets loud in the stadium, the Munich players want to take the throw-in while the Arsenal players stand on the touchline because Saka has been treated. But Makkelie blows the whistle. The Bayern players are furious.
31. Arsenal have now woken up a little. Martinelli has the visitors' best chance so far, shooting from a free position in the penalty area. Again there is no getting past Neuer.
30. Havertz is played in front with a high ball. Neuer is alert and quick out of his goal to clear the danger to some extent. But then the whistle blows - Havertz was offside.
29. But now! odegaard shoots from distance. Neuer's view is a little blocked and the ball is also deflected. But Neuer is able to save.
28. Arsenal haven't been able to show much of themselves apart from heaps of possession. The Bayern defence has been very concentrated so far.
24. And FCB again. Musiala takes a shot, Raya parries to Kimmich, who sends in a sensitive cross but it doesn't reach anyone.
23. Now it's getting dangerous. Bayern launched a counter-attack in the shape of Guerreiro. The Portuguese waits until he is tackled before playing out to Mazraoui. He arrives at full sprint and tries to cross. The cross is dangerously deflected and the ball rolls just wide of the box.
21. Martinelli almost single-handedly outpaces the entire Bayern defence, but then plays the ball too far forward. Neuer is there in front of him.
20. We haven't seen a dangerous chance here yet. You can see that both teams don't want to risk too much yet.
17. Musiala plays high out to Sane. Because Tomiyasu misjudges, the DFB player now has plenty of space to march towards goal. However, he is caught on the baseline and his low cross does not reach the goal - corner.
13. Dier gets nervous for a moment. Arsenal press high and odegaard almost takes the ball from the Englishman far back, but Dier is only just able to clear the ball out.
11. Kimmich plays a good pass into the box, but Goretzka is whistled back for offside.
8. Sane is really up for it, as you can see from the following situation. Kimmich is outplayed by Martinelli on the touchline, but Sane is also there in defence and wins a throw-in for Bayern.
6. Kane is played in on the edge of the penalty area. The Englishman turns and shoots again - past the goal.
4. Sane shows his dribbling skills for the first time and doesn't let the ball get to him. He plays to Kimmich, who crosses directly. In the centre, Kane takes the cross on the volley and earns the first corner of the game.
2. Speaking of Bayern fans: the stadium is a little foggy because the supporters have set off pyrotechnics. But you can see enough to keep the game going.
1. The second leg in the sold-out Allianz Arena gets underway. The Bayern fans are already getting into the mood.
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