Bayern Munich ended Arsenal’s Champions League dream at Allianz Arena as Joshua Kimmich’s header sent them into the semi-finals.
On Wednesday night, Bayern Munich secured a 1-0 win against Arsenal thanks to Joshua Kimmich’s second-half header to reach the Champions League semi-final with a 3-2 aggregate win.
After losing the Bundesliga title to Leverkusen, Bayern Munich players used their wealth of experience to eliminate Mikel Arteta’s young side. The first 45 minutes were an intense and even encounter, but Bayern increased their tempo after the restart. First Leon Goretzka hit the bar and then Kimmich scored the crucial goal with a firm diving header. Tuchel’s men masterfully controlled the game and contained Arsenal in the last 30 minutes.
The German giants will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals stage. The first leg will be in Munich on 30 April, with the second leg in Spain on 8 May.
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: Play-by-Play
Harry Kane had an opportunity to score early in the game from Kimmich’s cross, but he sent his volley wide.
Arsenal’s first attempt was in the 8th minute, when Martinelli cut in from the right and tried his chance from outside the penalty area, but his effort went wide of Neuer’s far post.
Bayern had a decent chance in the 24th minute, but Arsenal keeper Raya was alert and denied Musiala. The best chance of the first half fell off to Martinelli when Odegaard’s pass reached him in the 32nd minute, but Neuer stopped his weak finish from 12 yards out.
The first half was a fascinating tactical battle that finished goalless in Munich. Both teams were aware of each other strengths, and there was little to separate them. The Gunners started the game well and had plenty of the ball, but Bayern had more clear-cut opportunities.
Bayern came close to scoring at the start of the second half when Goretzka’s header hit the bar from the Kimmich cross. Guerreiro had an opportunity to score on the rebound, but his shot hit Saliba and went wide.
Bayern started the second half livelier and with more intensity. The game started to open up in the first 15 minutes of the second half, and the home side finally managed to break the deadlock in the 64th minute. Guerreiro sent a superb ball after Raya put away Sane’s cross, and Kimmich scored with the powerful header from close range.
Just two minutes later, Leroy Sane could double the lead at the back post, but he sent his shot over the bar.
Bayern fans took a breath as a sigh of relief after Odegaard found space in a dangerous area, but his low attempt went wide in the 88th minute.
After the goal, Bayern used its quality and experience and managed the game very well. The Bavarian giants sat deep and secured their lead. Tuchel’s side took the sting out of the opponent, and Arteta’s men ran out of ideas to get back into the game.
Bayern Munich Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)
Manuel Neuer (GK) – 8/10: distribution was breathtaking at times,
Joshua Kimmich (RB) – 9/10: Kept Martinelli and Trossard quiet and caused problems going forward. Scored the decisive goal and produced an all-round excellent performance.
Eric Dier (CB) – 7/10: Focused and disciplined. Made good tackles and interceptions.
Matthijs De Ligt (CB) – 7/10: Looked solid throughout and was composed on the ball.
Noussair Mazraoui (LB) – 7/10: Handled Saka well and was dangerous going forward.
Konrad Laimer (CM) – 7/10: Received a needless yellow card, but was influential in the middle of the pitch with his tireless running.
Leon Goretzka (CM) – 8/10: Bayern’s best play alongside Kimmich. Won his duels in midfield and kept Arsenal’s midfielder quiet with a mature performance. Unlucky that his header hit the bar.
Jamal Musiala (CAM) – 7/10: Bayern’s dangerous attacker on the night thanks to an energetic performance. Caused problems for Arsenal with his runs.
Raphael Guerreiro (LW) – 7/10: Solid in defense and attack. Was quiet in the first half, but created the goal for Kimmich with a superb cross.
Leroy Sane (RW) – 6/10: Not as dangerous as the first leg, but still was involved in the game and played a part in the goal. Missed a great chance to score.
Harry Kane (ST) – 6/10: Struggled against Arsenal defenders and didn’t have any real goal-scoring opportunities, but still was involved in the game.
Substitutes
Dayot Upamecano (For Sane – 89′) – N/A: On for the last few minutes.
Kim Min-jae (For Mazraoui – 76′) – 5/10: Did his job well to protect the lead in the last 15 minutes.
Manager
Thomas Tuchel – 8/10: Got his tactics spot on as they kept Arsenal forwards quiet and still created chances. His team put in an excellent and mature performance and deservedly won the match.
Arsenal Player Ratings (4-3-3)
David Raya (GK) – 6/10: Not at fault for the goal and made a couple of good saves. Produced a calm performance, unlike the first leg.
Ben White (RB) – 6/10: Solid in defense and won his duels, but was ineffective in attack.
William Saliba (CB) – 7/10: Handled Kane well and was composed on the ball. Could have done better on the goal.
Gabriel (CB) – 6/10: More calm and composed than the first leg, but was lucky that didn’t score an own goal in the second half.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (LB) – 7/10: Put in a solid performance and had a good game against Sane.
Jorginho (DM) – 6/10: struggled at the beginning, but overall had a decent game in the middle of the park.
Martin Odegaard (CM) – 6/10: Pressed well and created Arsenal’s best chance but struggled to impose himself and create dangerous opportunities.
Declan Rice (CM) – 6/10: Protected the backline well but failed to influence the game.
Gabriel Martinelli (RW) – 5/10: Worked hard defensively but missed Arsenal’s best chance. Lost Kimmich for the Bayern goal.
Kai Havertz (ST) – 5/10: Failed to create danger with his runs and physicality. Didn’t have any real opportunity to score.
Bukayo Saka (RW) – 5/10: Had a quiet night. Struggled to impose himself on the game and Bayern did not let the ball reach him throughout the game.
Substitutes
Leandro Trossard (For Martinelli – 67′) – 5/10: Unlike the first leg failed to make an impact this time.
Gabriel Jesus (For Jorginho – 67′) – 6/10: Failed to make the difference and was offside for his only chance.
Eddie Nketiah (N/A) (For Tomiyasu – 81′) – N/A: Didn’t have enough time to have an impact.
Manager
Mikel Arteta – 5/10: Got His selection right, but players did not deliver their best performance on the biggest stage. Bayern stopped his dangerous players and failed to change the game with his subs.
