Bayern Munich 5-2 Benfica: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Bayern Munich probably have the best attack in the world right now, but the defense continues to be shaky. While Sule and Lucas may have been out, there’s no excuse for the two goals the team conceded today. Nagelsmann needs to do another defensive rethink — the Gladbach game has exposed many flaws in the setup.
• Another hat-trick for Robert Lewandowski, and on his 100th Champions League game to boot. Shame he missed his penalty, or else it would’ve been a perfect performance from him. Give the man a Ballon d’Or already!
• Good to see Omar Richards get more minutes today. The lad’s been showing signs of the talent Bayern saw in him to sign him from the English Championship. He really can tackle — let’s hope his development continues.
• Leroy Sane didn’t exactly look comfortable playing as a true attacking midfielder, but he did get a goal and assist. So, yay Nagelsmann? Please play Muller next time, though.
• Dayot Upamecano misses the Kyiv game with a yellow card suspension. Let’s hope suspensions don’t become a pattern for Bayern this season, especially in the knockouts.

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Full time: Bayern Munich win 5-2 for the second game running.

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84’ — GOAL! Lewandowski makes it 5-2! Hat trick for him.

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74’ — Goal. Benfica pull one back yet again. Bayern’s defense threatens to spoil this evening.

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61’ — GOAL! Lewandowski makes it 4-1 for Bayern, excellent assist by Sane.

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49’ — GOAL! Leroy Sane makes it 3-1 for Bayern!

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45’ — The second half is underway! Can Bayern come out of this with a win?

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Halftime observations and analysis

• Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty. WHAT. Still reeling from that one.
• Bayern Munich deserve to have more goals by now. Some better finishing would be appreciated.
• Thomas Muller, wo bist du?
• Alphonso Davies is having a great birthday performance.
• Poor defending has led to Bayern conceding their first goal of the Champions League campaign. This team’s defense keeps revealing cracks.

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Halftime: Bayern lead 2-1.

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45’ — WHAT. LEWANDOWSKI HAS MISSED A PENALTY.

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38’ — Goal. Poor one to concede. Benfica pull one back from a cross.

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31’ — GOAL! Serge Gnabry scores! 2-0 now!

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25’ — GOAL! Lewandowski makes it 1-0 from a Coman cross!

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15’ — Phew. Benfica scored from a corner, but their goal was ruled offside.

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Kickoff: We’re underway!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Now here’s a surprise — Tanguy Nianzou starts! And Thomas Muller is on the bench? Wow, Nagelsmann is rotating in a really weird way.

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With nine points from three games, the Champions League has been plain sailing for Julian Nagelsmann thus far. Bayern Munich have swept aside all comers, and haven’t even conceded a goal in the process. Now, the team is on the verge qualification to the Round of 16, with only SL Benfica standing in the way.

Benfica are no pushovers, as they proved in the previous meeting between these two sides. The 4-0 scoreline was pretty deceptive, as Bayern didn’t even manage to score until the 69th minute. Jorge Jesus has a solid team at his disposal, while the Bavarians have looked more than a little shaky in recent games, especially at the back. However, the team’s attack looks stronger than ever, with Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller lighting it up alongside a quartet of free-scoring wingers. This one should be a great game.

It’s Bayern time.

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While you’re waiting for the game to start, why not listen to our preview podcast? Here you go:

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Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Time: 9:00 pm local time, 3:00 pm EST

TV/streaming: Paramount+, Find Your Country

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