Arsenal avoided defeat in the final stretch and tied 2-2 at home to Bayern Munich this Tuesday (9) in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, leaving everything open for the second leg.
The hours leading up to the start of the duel were marked by threats from the jihadist group Islamic State against the Champions League, but as soon as the tournament anthem started playing, football became the protagonist.
Bukayo Saka put the Londoners ahead at Arsenal Stadium in the 12th minute, but shortly afterwards the Bavarians turned it around with a goal from Serge Gnabry (19′) and a penalty converted by star Harry Kane (32′).
In the second half, Belgian Leandro Trossard, who had entered the game ten minutes earlier, closed the score at 2-2 (76′).
Frenchman Kingsley Coman could have given Bayern the victory in the 90th minute, hitting the post, but the dispute will restart from scratch in Munich, on Wednesday next week.
Balance
Bayern did not arrive at this match with high morale, as their confidence was shaken after two consecutive defeats in the Bundesliga that left them 16 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen and now with no real chance of winning the 12th consecutive title in the German championship.
The dynamics were much better for Arsenal, leaders of the Premier League ahead of the powerful Liverpool and Manchester City. But on the field, the duel between a team that has a great tradition in the Champions League and another that is going through a great moment ended up being balanced.
Arsenal, who were playing their first Champions League quarter-final match since 2010 this Tuesday, at least had the relief of avoiding a defeat in the end that would have left them almost knocked out.
“In the Champions League you can’t give your opponent anything. Today we gave them two goals. It’s the biggest lesson we learned today,” said England coach Mikel Arteta.
While a draw away from home might seem like a favorable result considering the second leg, six-time European champions Bayern have yet to win since the international break last month.
“It was a very difficult game, against a very strong opponent and with a very encouraging crowd. Only the referee was below average today”, said Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel, who complained that in the second half a clear penalty in favor of his team was not scored.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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