FC Bayern Munchen News

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Paul Gilmour and Nick Wright reflect on Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of the Champions League.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich traded blows in a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium to leave their Champions League quarter-final finely poised ahead of next week’s second leg.

Bukayo Saka gave Mikel Arteta’s side an early lead with a superb, curling finish but Bayern capitalised on poor defending to equalise against the run of play through former Gunner Serge Gnabry soon afterwards.

Former Tottenham striker Harry Kane then coolly dispatched a penalty for his 15th goal in 20 games against Arsenal after Leroy Sane was felled by William Saliba, but the hosts found a leveller through Leandro Trossard when he swept home a pass from fellow substitute Gabriel Jesus in the second half.

Arsenal had most of the possession but six-time winners Bayern were a constant threat on the break, with Kingsley Coman slamming a close-range shot against the post in the 90th minute before Saka had a penalty appeal controversially turned down in stoppage time.

Bayern, without any fans at the Emirates Stadium due to a UEFA ban, will welcome Arsenal to the Allianz Arena for the second leg on Wednesday next week with the tie in the balance.

How Trossard hit back in thrilling draw

With Bayern fans banned from attending by UEFA after throwing fireworks on the pitch in their last-16 tie against Lazio, Arsenal sought to capitalise on the intensely partisan atmosphere early on.

Gabriel Martinelli, starting in place of Jesus, had their first chance, sending a diagonal shot wide of Manuel Neuer’s left-hand post, but the breakthrough came from the opposite flank.

White was the provider, feeding Saka inside the box with a diagonal pass, and the 22-year-old did the rest, curling a wonderful finish into the far corner, out of reach of the full-stretch Neuer.

At that point, having also had Alphonso booked for an early foul on Saka, ruling him out of the second leg through suspension, it seemed it may be a long night for the visitors.

Arsenal had a golden chance to double their lead when Ben White shot straight at Neuer having been put through on goal by Kai Havertz on the right, but Bayern were level within two minutes of that miss.

It came from an innocuous long pass. David Raya came running out of his goal to claim it near the halfway line but instead the ball was collected by Gabriel Magalhaes who, seeing his goalkeeper out of position, turned and tried to find left-back Jakub Kiwior ahead of him instead.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, his pass was inaccurate, with Kiwior unable to collect it and Sane pouncing. The winger fed the onrushing Leon Goretzka, whose through-ball was clinically dispatched by former Gunner Gnabry, silencing the 60,000 Arsenal fans in attendance.

Arsenal tried to conjure up an instant response, almost forcing the ball over the line following a corner, but more defensive sloppiness allowed Bayern to win their penalty.

Sane was again heavily involved, pinning Kiwior and spinning away from him too easily before embarking on an electrifying run into the Arsenal box, skipping away from Jorginho and Gabriel before drawing the foul from Saliba.

Kane took his time over the spot-kick, delaying his run-up and seeing Raya dive to his right before stroking the ball in to his left, the goal continuing his outstanding scoring record against Arsenal.

Bayern continued to threaten on the counter and might have had a third goal, through Sane, if not for a heroic recovery run and tackle by White after the winger had sprinted through on goal.

Arsenal, so impressive defensively in recent months, looked sloppy and uncertain in the face of Bayern’s pace and power in transition and struggled to create openings either side of half-time.

It took two substitutes to change things, with Jesus showing quick feet inside the box to tee up Trossard for a sweeping, first-time finish to lift the roof off the Emirates Stadium.

The game continued to ebb and flow after that, with Arsenal relieved to see Coman’s close-range effort from Jamal Musiala’s centre come back off the post.

There was still time for more drama in stoppage time, however, with Arsenal incensed not to be awarded a penalty when Saka appeared to be felled by Neuer, with referee Glenn Nyberg deeming the winger to have initiated the contact, ensuring the game ended in a draw, the tie finely poised.

What’s next?

Arsenal host Aston Villa live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm. They then travel to Germany for the second leg of their quarter-final on April 17, kick-off 8pm.

Bayern Munich are at home to Cologne in the Bundesliga on Saturday live on the Sky Sports app, kick-off 2.30pm.

UEFA says this week’s Champions League quarter-final ties will go ahead as scheduled amid an alleged terror threat.

Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in north London will host the first leg of the Gunners’ last-eight tie against Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening, while Manchester City are also in action away to Real Madrid.

Madrid also hosts Atletico’s game with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes stadium is the venue for the visit of Barcelona on the same evening in Paris.

A media outlet linked to ISIS has issued a threat concerning all four of this week’s ties, and European football’s governing body UEFA has now issued a statement on the matter.

“UEFA is aware of alleged terrorist threats made towards this week’s UEFA Champions League matches and is closely liaising with the authorities at the respective venues,” the statement said.

“All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place.”

The Metropolitan Police say they are aware of reports of Champions League matches being targeted this week, but insist the terror threat level has not changed from its “substantial” level due to the reports, nor has the policing plan for Arsenal’s game.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, overseeing the policing of London on Tuesday, said: “The UK terrorism threat level remains at ‘substantial’ meaning an attack is likely, and we work closely with colleagues from across Counter Terrorism Policing in planning for events here in London, to take into account any relevant information that could help us to keep those attending safe.

“We’re aware of online and media reports in relation to calls to target matches across Europe and here in London.

“However, I want to reassure the public that we have a robust policing plan in place for tonight’s match and we continue to work closely alongside the club’s security team to ensure that the match passes peacefully.

“As ever, we ask the public to remain vigilant, and if they see any that doesn’t look or feel right, then report it to police or security staff.”

Arsenal say the security strategy for Tuesday night’s game remains as expected.

A club spokesperson said: “We work closely with the Metropolitan Police regarding the safety and security of all supporters and staff at Emirates Stadium for all our matches.

“Our planning for tonight’s fixture is no different and our approach, working together with the Police and UEFA, is proportionate to the current UK threat level.”

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin has said that security will be “considerably reinforced” in Paris after the threat.

“We have seen, among others, a communication from the Islamic State which is particularly aimed at stadiums,” Darmanin said.

Meanwhile, in Spain, a government minister said they had taken all necessary precautions to avoid any terror attacks.

Sky Sports News has also contacted the Home Office for comment.

Foden and Bellingham: The battle of England’s No 10s

Who should start as England’s No 10 at Euro 2024? The two leading candidates face off at the Bernabeu when Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid host Phil Foden’s Manchester City on Tuesday night.

Bellingham is Gareth Southgate’s pick in that spot right now. And with 20 goals in his first season in Madrid to his name, there is no doubt the 20-year-old is a worthy selection.

He scored his first Wembley goal for his country with the last-gasp equaliser against Belgium last month and his link-up play with Harry Kane, when the captain has been fit, has been encouraging.

In that Belgium game, Foden began on the left wing and that is his regular position for England – but there is a growing clamour for the 23-year-old to be used more centrally. That seems to be the best use of his talents, with Foden himself saying it is where he wants to play after scoring a hat-trick from the No 10 role against Aston Villa last week.

But would Southgate be prepared to drop Bellingham deeper to accommodate Foden as a No 10?

On opposite sides in Madrid, Bellingham and Foden will have the chance to showcase what they bring to the coveted role – and perhaps convince Southgate why they should be prioritised in that key playmaking position.
Peter Smith

Will Kane strike against Arsenal again?

Arsenal thought they had seen the back of Harry Kane after years of torment and frustration.

The England captain scored 14 goals in 19 games against the Gunners in Tottenham colours – only Leicester and Everton have a worse record when it comes to defending against Kane. That run against Arsenal includes goals in five out of his eight trips to the Emirates Stadium.

Now Kane returns to one of his favourite stages as a Bayern Munich player with 38 goals in his first 37 matches for his new side. An unstoppable force.

But is he coming up against an immovable object? He will line up against an Arsenal defence that has not conceded in a month, with William Saliba and Gabriel fresh from keeping out Erling Haaland at the Etihad Stadium a few weeks ago.

What will give as Arsenal welcome back their No 1 villain to north London?
Sam Blitz

Sancho to showcase revived form?

Manchester United’s forgotten man Jadon Sancho will aim to showcase his revived form when Borussia Dortmund go to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

After being left out of Erik ten Hag’s plans since August, it was no surprise it took the 24-year-old winger some time to get going on loan at Dortmund – but he looks to be back up to speed now.

Before the international break there were goals in back-to-back games, including the opener in the last-16 second leg with PSV to help Dortmund to this stage. Since then he has sparkled in the 2-0 win at Bayern Munich, where he topped the dribbling stats, and stood out in the defeat to Stuttgart, where he created no fewer than seven chances for his team-mates.

United’s Champions League ambitions for this season have long been over – but Sancho will aim to show his parent club what they are missing this week.
Peter Smith

CL would be perfect PSG farewell for Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe was a world champion before he reached the age of 20. However, now aged 25, the Champions League continues to be the prize that alludes him.

Mbappe’s long-term future seems to lie elsewhere but the Frenchman will been keen to lead Paris Saint-Germain to their first Champions League trophy and cement his legacy at the club.

Rumours of a departure have resulted in a disjointed season at the Parc des Princes. Cryptic comments from head coach Luis Enrique and time on the bench has been the story of what is expected to be his final campaign with the French club.

Despite the drama, Mbappe has still enjoyed a return of 39 goals in all competitions, including six in this season’s Champions League. PSG’s quarter-final tie against Barcelona will give the French forward another opportunity to write himself into football folklore.

Barcelona will be wary of the prospect of coming up against Mbappe, who has scored four goals in just two games against them.

The Spanish champions’ 6-1 comeback in 2017 preceded Mbappe’s move to Paris, but PSG’s hopes to avenge the result will surely rest at the feet of their star forward.

Real Madrid is expected to be his next destination. Should that be the case Mbappe has the chance to endear himself to the fans before even pulling on the famous white strip.
William Bitibiri

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