After a hard-fought draw against Arsenal, Bayern Munich may have the advantage heading into the second leg. The game saw Bukayo Saka score early for Arsenal, only for Bayern to equalize with a goal from Serge Gnabry and then take the lead with a penalty from Harry Kane. Leandro Trossard later scored the equalizer, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
Both teams felt they should have been awarded additional penalties during the match. Saka went down in the box in the dying moments, but the referee did not consult VAR and ultimately ended the game without awarding a penalty. Bayern also felt they should have received a penalty when defender Gabriel handled the ball in the box in the 66th minute, but the referee did not make the call.
Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel and director for sport Max Eberl expressed their frustration with the referee’s decisions post-game. Tuchel criticized the referee for not awarding the penalty and for his explanation that it was a “kid’s mistake.” Eberl also questioned the referee’s decision not to award a penalty for the handball in the 66th minute.
The controversy surrounding the game may work in Bayern’s favor as they seek to stay in the hunt for the Champions League title. With recent defeats in the Bundesliga, Bayern is on the verge of losing the league title to Leverkusen and is out of the DFB Pokal. The Champions League now represents their final opportunity for silverware this season.
Despite being viewed as underdogs going into the tie against Arsenal, Bayern showed their quality with a strong defensive performance and effective counterattacks. The return leg in Munich promises to be a fascinating encounter, with Bayern now favored to advance. However, questions remain whether Bayern can maintain their approach of sitting back and hitting Arsenal on the break in the second leg.
Bayern fans will be hoping to see their team dominate in the return leg, but Tuchel’s tactics may require them to once again play like underdogs. As they aim to avoid a titleless season, Bayern will need to navigate a tricky encounter against Arsenal. The outcome of the second leg could determine whether Bayern’s Champions League hopes remain alive this season.
