An unfortunate action by Manuel Neuer and his back team brought new coach Vincent Kompany his first defeat with Bayern Munich. The record champions disappointed at Aston Villa. The game on Wednesday at Villa Park in Birmingham ended 1-0 (0-0).
Four days after Munich’s strong performance against champions Leverkusen (1-1), the German record champions disappointed against defensively minded Englishmen and severely lacked the self-image shown in the Bundesliga. Jhon Duran scored England’s winning goal with a lob over Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer.
Constantin Kleine, Sportschau, October 2nd, 2024 11:00 p.m
Munich slipped into the middle of the table after their first defeat of the season.
Neuer on conceding a goal: “That’s our game”
Bayern keeper Neuer then commented on the decisive goal, in which the Munich defense line was taken by surprise by a long ball and Neuer, who had rushed out of the box, was outwitted by Villa’s goalscorer Duran: “That’s just our game. We’ll keep trying “Standing close together, with and without the ball.” The fact that this can then lead to goals conceded like against Villa is simply part of the “calculated risk,” said Neuer.
Sports director Max Eberl also complained about the unfortunate goal conceded, which Eberl said wasn’t even a “real scoring opportunity”. “We just didn’t manage to take advantage of our chances.”
Afterwards, Bayern coach Kompany particularly struggled with the numerous “big opportunities” that the team had not taken advantage of. On the other hand, the opponent had “that one moment,” said Kompany. “It’s bitter, but it’s part of football. The Champions League won’t decide that, we just have to keep going.”
Load control at FC Bayern – Musiala not from the start
In view of the mammoth program, Bayern coach Kompany relied on load control and initially gave Jamal Musiala a break: Instead, Kingsley Coman was on the pitch from the start, with Konrad Laimer defending for Raphael Guerreiro at the back right.
Bayern started powerfully from kick-off and won their first corner after just 70 seconds. However: The two-time world goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the Villa box had no problems with this and – to put it bluntly – with all nine of Bayern’s other corners.
Despite playing a large portion of the game, Bayern did not develop a goal threat. In contrast, Aston Villa, coached by Basque Unai Emery, freed themselves from the pressure from Munich and gained more and more shares of the game.
Watkins chance wakes up Aston Villa
The English international Ollie Watkins then quickly showed after a cross from the left by Lucas Digne that the team from Birmingham really wanted to play against Bayern: Watkins rustically beat Minjae Kim in the header, but headed over the goal of the guests from Germany . But by the time the home team had their first chance to score, Bayern had lost their thread.
And the Villa supporters immediately cheered frenetically – almost like they did back in 1982, when Aston Villa beat Bayern 1-0 in the final of the European Champions Cup: After a yellow card against Dayot Upamecano, Digne was able to cross again from the left. The Bayern defense team completely lost their bearings, Villa central defender Pau Torres, who had moved up, was there and pushed the ball over the line from close range from the right. While Villa Park celebrated, the goal was checked in the background – and the English team was disallowed for offside (23′).
After half an hour, Bayern had somewhat recovered: Aleksandar Pavlovic served Serge Gnabry exemplary, but instead of playing to the free Kane, Gnabry tried it himself, failed – and Kane was boiling. Later, Michael Olise tried from distance, but the giant Martinez reached over and directed the ball over the crossbar. When the Romanian referee blew the whistle for half-time, it was clear: Bayern’s offensive department needed Jamal Musiala.
Musiala in the second half of the game
Kompany brought the brilliant midfielder into the second half of the game – and again the Munich team started with a lot of dominance. But once again the English team defended consistently. Despite having 68 percent of the ball, Bayern were pretty far from taking the lead.
Deep in the second period, Munich suffered disillusionment: The “Lions” quickly moved forward and Torres sent Duran on his way. The Colombian saw that Manuel Neuer was far too far from his penalty area and beat the keeper with a precise shot from around 30 meters.
Neuer still ran after the ball, but had no chance. The British Prince William, whose favorite club is the “AVFC”, also cheered with the around 48,000 Villa fans.
Bayern with final attack
Munich threw everything forward in the final phase, Kompany substituted Mathys Tel, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Müller. But when Martinez again parried against Gnabry in stoppage time and Harry Kane, who was indisposed that evening, failed with a free kick, Bayern’s first defeat under new coach Vincent Kompany was perfect.
