FC Bayern stumbles in the Bundesliga, but coach Julian Nagelsmann's team shines internationally. Advancement in the Champions League is already certain after the victory at Viktoria Pilsen. Leon Goretzka creates a premiere, but practices self-criticism.
When going to the Bayern fans who had traveled with them, the ailing Thomas Müller was there again and gave his thumbs up for the Munich team to reach their first stage goal. In the smallest stadium of this Champions League season, FC Bayern again showed great desire to score and concentrated football against sparring partner Viktoria Pilsen in the 4: 2 (4: 0) only in the first half. A week after the 5-0 win in Munich, the German champions, who were still flawless in Europe's premier football league, won after a sloppy second half in front of a sold-out crowd of 11,326 in the Doosan Arena in the end by just two goals.
After the fourth win in the fourth game and the early booked entry into the round of 16, coach Julian Nagelsmann was satisfied despite the negligence in the second half. "In the group with twelve points - that's not bad," he said at DAZN. Almost more important was the all-clear regarding Müller. The striker, who had just recovered from Corona, left the pitch prematurely after 25 minutes. "The muscles on the back had closed a bit. Nothing bad," he said. "Nothing dramatic. No risk for the weekend." Then Bayern have to play the top game against SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Leon Goretzka in particular stood out in Pilsen. "It's more of a night to look at the positive things," he said. The dynamic international celebrated his first brace in the Champions League (25th/35th minute). "I'm happy that I was able to score two goals today. But I don't think it will carry through from game to game," he said when asked about his goalscoring qualities.
In front of him were Sadio Mané after a one-two with Goretzka (10th) and Thomas Müller (14th), who was still not happy about his return after a corona infection. The 33-year-old attacker had to leave the field after his submission to make it 3-0 by Goretzka. The captain quickly disappeared into the cabin, the word "shit" on his lips.
In the second period, Bayern became careless and allowed Adam Vlkanova (62') and Jan Kliment (75') to shorten the lead for the hosts. "That was unnecessary," said goalkeeper Sven Ulreich about the goal.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann was missing some regulars in Pilsen. National goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer didn't go because of a shoulder injury, defenders Matthijs de Ligt (muscular problems) and Alphonso Davies (bruised skull) had to pass, as did attackers Serge Gnabry (knee) and Jamal Musiala (corona infection).
But the starting line-up in Pilsen was strong enough to dominate the game like they did in the 5-0 victory over Viktoria a week earlier. After Leroy Sané (2nd) missed a great opportunity, which Mané initiated, the Senegalese scored his second premier class goal for Bayern after a fine one-two with Goretzka. Four minutes later, Müller increased with his 53rd Champions League goal after assisting Kingsley Coman.
Bayern continued to act efficiently, Pilsen didn't particularly bother Munich's combination game driven by Sané. The in-form Goretzka (25th/35th) used that twice before the break. A week earlier it was 3-0 at half-time in Munich. It was even more interesting that temporary captain Müller had to leave the field after his assist to make it 3-0 and was replaced by 17-year-old Mathys Tel.
After the break, Bayern let it slide a bit. Nagelsmann used his substitution contingent to rest players and give others match practice. New substitute Ulreich passed his biggest test with a header from Ludek Pernica (61st). When he conceded, he was powerless. Nothing changed in Bayern's eleventh win in a row in the group phase. So far, no club has been able to do this.
