FC Bayern left it late as Kingsley Coman’s effort cancelled out Chikwubuike Adamu’s first-half goal.
FC Bayern’s record-breaking unbeaten run away from home extends to 22 games… just. Following a disappointing first half, Nagelsmann’s side raised their game in the second half and scraped a late, but deserved draw.
The six-time winners will be in the driving seat when the two sides meet again in three weeks but they’ll need a much-improved performance to live up to their reputation as one of the tournament favourites. Unbeaten in 22 away games in this competition and also Unbeaten in 10 away games in the round of 16.
Salzburg so nearly wrote history again! On their round of 16 debut they push one of the big title favourites all the way to earn a deserved draw. The hosts played with so much passion and commitment, caused problems again and again with their quick counterattacks. Their defence, meanwhile, performed commendably – and that so nearly kept Bayern at bay.
Debutants Salzburg deserve the plaudits tonight, ending Bayern’s perfect record in the UEFA Champions League this season and almost securing a famous victory! It was nervy for the hosts for much of the second half and often dependent on heroic defending allied with some uncharacteristic wastefulness from the six-time champions. Relieved Bayern will know that the second leg looks like being some contest, should Salzburg show this much spirit and ruthlessness again.
Salzburg’s boldness is rewarded! The hosts win possession from a Bayern throw-in well inside their half, sending Capaldo scampering down the right before cutting inside confidently and sending a low ball into the penalty area on the left. Aaronson applies a faint touch to the pass on its way to Adamu, who fires emphatically beyond the dive of Süle, past Ulreich and into the back of the net. 1-0.
Adamu’s 21st-minute goal was the earliest by a substitute in a Champions League game since Thierry Henry against Sparta Praha for Arsenal in October 2005.
Adamu is only the fourth Austrian player to score in the Champions League knockout phase after Marcel Sabitzer, David Alaba and Christian Fuchs.
Bayern equalise with seconds of normal time remaining! Pavard swings a hopeful ball towards the centre of the penalty area from near the byline on the right, and Müller nods the delivery on towards the far post. Kristensen is keeping a close eye on the lurking Lewandowski, leaving Coman free behind him to slot past Köhn at the goalkeeper’s right-hand post. Agony for Salzburg, redemption for their opponents!
Salzburg’s Mohamed Camara is the Player of the Match. “He was a leader on the pitch with excellent vertical play and fast transitions,” says the UEFA Technical Observer Panel. “He was also strong in one-on-ones and read the game brilliantly.”
Salzburg’s Adamu said,”We have such a great team. We will carry on our way and give everything in the second leg. This tie is not decided yet.”
Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle,
said, “In the end it is a fair result. It was a great game, we have thrown everything in. The first half was exactly like we wanted,but in the second half we didn’t play our best transitions and lost the ball quite early sometimes.”
FC Bayern forward Thomas Muller,said , “We have mixed feelings. Salzburg are a good team and the atmosphere was amazing. Compliments to the fans, that’s how you want football to be. The conditions were great, which made it fun even though we suffered. Hats off to us for grinding out the 1-1 draw.”
FC Bayern coachJulian Nagelsmann said , “It was a quite interesting game. The point is absolutely deserved: we created a lot of pressure and constricted Salzburg in their own half. Of course we would have liked three points, but if you score the equaliser so late, you have to [accept] one point.”
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Champions League FC Bayern Salzburg Football Sports Kolkata
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