Bayern Munich vs. Liverpool: UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg - As it happened!
Bayern Munich failed to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in eight seasons as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Liverpool.
Match stats
- Manuel Neuer made his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance.
- Neuer is only the fourth German player to make 100 UCL appearances – the other three also spent their careers at Bayern: Thomas Müller, Oliver Kahn and Philipp Lahm.
- Joshua Kimmich missed his first competitive game of the season, due to suspension.
- Bayern failed to reach at least the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in eight years.
- Seven of the current Bayern squad were part of the team that beat Klopp’s Dortmund in the 2013 final - Neuer, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba, Javi Martinez, Robben, Müller and Ribery - while Lewandowski and Mats Hummels lined up on the other side.
- Klopp’s record against Bayern reads: ten wins, five draws and 16 defeats.
Line-ups
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Rafinha, Süle, Hummels, Alaba – Martinez (Goretzka 72'), Thiago – Gnabry, James (Sanches 79'), Ribery (Coman 61') – Lewandowski
Unused subs: Ulreich, Boateng, Goretzka, Davies, Jeong
Out: Kimmich, Müller (both suspended), Robben (calf), Tolisso (knee)
Coach: Niko Kovac
Liverpool: Alisson – Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson – Milner (Lallana 87'), Wijnaldum, Henderson (c) (Fabinho 13') – Salah, Firmino (Origi 83'), Mane
Unused subs: Mignolet, Lovren, Sturridge, Shaqiri
Out: Gomez (rehab after ankle fracture), Keita (minor injury), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lovren (both fitness)
Coach: Jürgen Klopp
As it happened
FULL TIME BAYERN 1-3 LIVERPOOL
Bayern's Champions League campaign comes to an end, but they still have two titles left to fight for in the 2018/19 campaign. The Allianz Arena DJ is playing "The show must go on" by Queen so at least he's got a sense of humour.
90' - LITTLE FIGHT LEFT
It's been a disappointing night in the end for Bayern, who are heading out.
85' - GOAL BAYERN 1-3 LIVERPOOL (MANE)
Salah picks up the ball on the edge of the area and clips a cross towards the back post with the outside of his boot that is met by Mane, who doubles his goal tally with a header on the goalline.
82' - JUST WIDE
Sanches has looked lively since coming off the bench and the Portguese midfielder has just dragged an effort wide of the post from inside the area. It wasn't far off.
80' - STRAIGHT AT NEUER
Another break from Liverpool after Bayern pile forward sees space open up for Firmino whose 25-yard drive stings the palms of Neuer, but nothing else.
77' - BAYERN BULLISH
The hosts are pushing for an equaliser that would give them a chance of a comeback, but Liverpool are smartly keeping things tight and getting plenty of bodies behind the ball. As a result Coman and Co. keep running into trouble.
74' - SALAH SOLO
Liverpool seize on a chance to counter, as Salah tries to go it alone and almost pulls it off only to have the ball nipped away just as he was trying to get his shot off before Neuer sticks out a boot to poke the ball clear of Mane.
71' - PING PONG
Two more Liverpool corners ping around the Bayern penalty area without producing an actual shot on goal. In the meantime, Goretzka has been brought on for Martinez. A sign Kovac is ready to chase the two goals? Bayern have scored 11 in their last two outings.
68' - GOAL! BAYERN 1-2 LIVERPOOL (VAN DIJK)
Two corners for Liverpool back-to-back. The first is pushed behind by Neuer under extreme pressure, the second is headed home by a towering Van Dijk to restore Liverpool's lead. Bayern are back to needing two more goals.
63' - NO LUCK FROM SET-PIECES
Matip joins Fabinho in the referee's book. Bayern's free-kick is headed over by an offside Javi Martinez.
61' - IT JUST NEEDED A TOUCH
Robertson commits to an intercept and misses allowing Gnabry to dart in and drive a low cross across the six yard box. Somehow neither Lewandowski or Matip get the decisive touch to turn it goalwards. Coman is on for Ribery.
57' - BAYERN ON THE BACK FOOT
The hosts are letting Liverpool apply a lot of pressure in the final third, but to their credit they're keeping things very tight at the back as the continue to stifle LFC's advances. A somewhat risky approach.
53' - PERFECT PIVOT
Thiago has had the most touches of any player out on the pitch. The Spaniard really is a joy to behold with the way he commands the ball and play in midfield.
50' - NEUER TO THE RESCUE
Liverpool break from a corner and when Bayern's backline choose to stand off Salah, the Egyptian smashes an effort at goal which Neuer punches clear with two hands. He wasn't taking any chances, but saw it the whole way.
47' - BAYERN ON TOP
The hosts have had 63 per cent of the ball so far tonight and are winning the greater share of the 50/50s. Most impressively perhaps, they've held Liverpool to a pass completion rate of less than 70 per cent.
SECOND HALF
This game will be decided in 90 minutes no matter what tonight. Which side will grab the a potentially decisive second goal?
HALF-TIME: BAYERN 1-1 LIVERPOOL
It seems strange to say, but the Mane opener proved the perfect tonic to a somewhat timid opening from Bayern. After the goa, they were a lot more purposeful in possession, deservedly drew all square before the break and will be looking to build on that momentum in the second half. The German record titleholders still need a second to reach the quarter finals though.
45' - SO CLOSE!
Bayern win the ball high up the pitch and release Lewandowski in behind with an early ball. The Pole clips the ball past Alisson, but has to watch as it trickles just wide. The offside flag was up against the Pole even if it had gone in.
43' - ALABAAAA...
The Austrian lines up a free-kick from 25 yards, gets it up and over the wall, but can't get enough pace on the ball to truly trouble Allison.
41' - PERFECT RESPONSE FROM BAYERN
Leveling the scores before half-time will do Bayern a world of good. They've had more possession, they've posed the greater threat and the equaliser has taken the atmosphere up a notch in the Allianz Arena.
39 - GOAL BAYERN 1-1 LIVERPOOL (OWN GOAL)
We're all square. A quick free-kick plays in Gnabry to the byline. The winger holds off the challenge of Robertson to get the ball into the danger area where Joel Matip turns it into his own net from four yards. Brilliant from Gnabry.
35' - FLAG-TASTIC!
Three corners in a row for Liverpool following that Neuer save fail to produce any threat
34' - NEUER SAVES
Mane plays in Robertson in behind Rafinha and Neuer is forced into a save at his front post to put the ball behind for a corner.
31' - RIBERY LOOKING LIVELY
The Frenchman gets to the byline well, but no one is in the box to meet his dink to the back post.
30' - LEWANDOWSKI VS VAN DIJK
It's making for a fascinating head-to-head at the heart of Liverpool's backline between two of the best in the business in their respective positions. Right now Lewandowski is shading it as he gets off a shot which has the pace taken off of it by a deflection.
27' - GOAL! BAYERN 0-1 LIVERPOOL (MANE)
This really was something out of nothing. A long ball forward isn't dealt with by Rafinha and with Neuer failing to get a touch after coming off his line, Mane cooly chips the ball into a gaping net. Bayern need two goals to get through now.
25' - SOMETHING OUT NOTHING?
First shot of the game for the visitors as a neat flick from Salah is taken down well by Firmino before the Brazilian fires off a fierce half-volley that drifts just wide of Neuer's near post.
22' - COMFORTABLY DEALT WITH
Liverpool have their first extended spell of pressure in Bayern's final third, but Mane's cute through ball fails to find a willing runner and is gobbled up by Neuer.
19' - CHECKMATE
Liverpool get the ball to Mane through the middle, but with his back to goal he's quickly crowded out of possession. Just what Kovac will want to see.
15' - QUARTER OF AN HOUR PLAYED...
...and Bayern will definitely be the happier of the two sides. They've posed a threat in the final third, whilst retaining possession well to prevent Liverpool's pressing game taking effect.
11' - HENDERSON OUT
Liverpool are forced into an early change with Henderson unable to continue after picking up an ankle knock. Fabinho is on in the LFC captain's place.
10' - PENALTY CLAIM
Lewandowski goes down in the box under a challenge from van Dijk, but it's not enough for the referee to point to the spot. It was a shame because the Pole had gotten the wrong side of his man, the ball just didn't sit up kindly for him.
8' - THIAGO WITH THE SHOT!
Bayern threaten after Lewandowski and Gnabry combine in the box. Liverpool fail to clear the danger convincingly allowing the ball to fall to Thiago on the edge of the area. The Spaniards' shot sails well over.
6' - HENDERSON DOWN
Jordan Henderson looks like he's turned his ankle and may not be able to continue. For now he receives treatment on the sidelines.
4' - TIME AND SPACE AT A PREMIUM
Everything is very tightly packed in midfield so far. Bayern have had the lion's share of possession and are showing signs that they're willing to put in a more courageous performance.
KICK OFF!
This has the potential to be an absolute barnstormer ladies and gentlemen. Bayern's best chance of progressing will be to prevent Liverpool from scoring. It won't be easy, but they'll fancy their chances of doing that on home soil.
CONFIRMED TEAMS!
Here are tonight's line-ups:
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Rafinha, Süle, Hummels, Alaba – Martinez, Thiago – Gnabry, James, Ribery – Lewandowski
Liverpool: Alisson – Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson – Milner, Wijnaldum, Henderson (c) – Salah, Firmino, Mane
GOOD OMENS
Bayern have progressed to the next round 21 out of 23 times following a draw away from home in the first leg of a European knockout tie. Can they make it 22 against Liverpool?
COPING WITHOUT KIMMICH
Tonight marks only the second time this season that Joshua Kimmich has not lined up for Bayern. In fact, he has played every minute of every single game the Bavarians have played this season, apart from the first 70 minutes of their 2-1 win over SV Rödinghausen in the DFB Cup. Tonight, he cannot come on even for 20 minutes, due to suspension, and it will be interesting to see how Bayern adjust to the absence of perhaps the most versatile player in world football.
AWAY GOALS THREAT
While Bayern's goalless draw at Anfield in the first leg was a positive result, they did not get an away goal. That effectively means Liverpool have more results at their disposal tonight to reach the quarter-finals: A win, or a scoring draw. Bayern need to win or, if it remains 0-0, either find a winner in extra-time, or prevail on penalties.
TRAVEL SICKNESS
Liverpool have lost their last four away games in the Champions League (Roma, Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Red Star Belgrade) - another positive sign for Bayern. However, they have kept five clean sheets in their last six games in all competitions. Anyone else think this is too close to call?
LUCKY 13?
Bayern have won 12 of their last 13 games - can they make it 13 from 14 tonight? With the attacking talent in their side, with Ribery - a winner in 2013 - James and Gnabry in support of Lewandowski, would you bet against them?
FIVE REASONS BAYERN CAN BEAT LIVERPOOL
#5) Germany's loss, Bayern's gain
Germany coach Joachim Löw raised eyebrows last week as he put out to pasture 2014 FIFA World Cup heroes Thomas Müller, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng. It shocked many and prompted Kimmich to say: “I know the national team only with these three players. Over the past 10 years, they have shaped the team and made us world champions."
And while the legendary trio will have been disappointed, they channeled any frustration into a dominant victory over Wolfsburg that will serve as a warning to Bayern's rivals.
Müller found the net, while Hummels and Boateng combined to register a clean sheet. And while Müller misses out against Liverpool due to suspension, Bayern will surely benefit from their desire to prove Löw wrong and the added freshness that will be gained from not having to travel the world on international duty in between Bundesliga Matchdays.
Kovac is already delighted with his three discarded charges, saying post-Wolfsburg: "You saw the performance the three delivered. That was very good and what we expect from them, I was sure of it. The way they turned it into positive energy today speaks for them, as players and as people."
FILLING THE KIMMICH VOID
We will find out the line-ups in under an hour and one of the biggest mystery's is the identity of the man to replace the suspended Joshua Kimmich. Here are the options, according to bundesliga.com:
The obvious: Rafinha
The makeshift 1.0: Jerome Boateng
The makeshift 2.0: Leon Goretzka
The outlandish: Serge Gnabry
Click here to read the reasoning behind the four options!
FIVE REASONS BAYERN CAN BEAT LIVERPOOL
#4) The full-back battle
It is not the sexiest of positions on the pitch, but the duel between David Alaba and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the Bayern left leaves us thirsty at the prospect of a battle that may decide who reaches the last eight.
Like his Bayern counterpart, the Liverpool full-back provides a significant attacking threat, and while the Merseysiders' Andrew Robertson was this week dubbed as the "best left-back in Europe" by former England international Phil Neville, Alaba will have the perfect opportunity to remind the ex Manchester United man of who the continent's premier left back really is.
The frightening pace, immense physicality, marauding runs and almost telepathic understanding Alaba shares with the wingers causing havoc in front of him have made Alaba into one of the best left-backs in the world. Throw in a sublime left foot swinging in potent crosses and devastating set pieces and you have one imposing threat to Liverpool's defence.
If the 26-year-old Austrian can also keep Alexander-Arnold busy going backwards, he will significantly reduce the young right-back's threat going forwards.
SAME OLD LEWY, KEEPS ON SCORING
Robert Lewandowski has vowed to keep on scoring after overtaking Claudio Pizarro as the Bundesliga's record non-German marksman with a brace in Bayern Munich's 6-0 drubbing of Wolfsburg.
Poland's Lewandowski has now netted 197 goals in 281 Bundesliga appearances since moving to Germany from Lech Poznan in 2010, with 123 of his record-breaking tally coming in the red of Bayern - the club he joined from title rivals Borussia Dortmund in summer 2014.
"I have to say I'm very, very proud to have achieved something like this," the 30-year-old Lewandowski told bundesliga.com after moving two ahead of former teammate Pizarro - currently of Werder Bremen - in the all-time foreign scoring stakes.
"I know Claudio's still playing, but I'm not done yet either, and I want to continue scoring goals."
Click here for more from Bayern's prolific Pole
JAMES: 'WE NEED A PERFECT PERFORMANCE'
Bayern Munich will need to play a “perfect game” against Liverpool on Wednesday if they are to advance to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, according to playmaking maestro James Rodriguez.
The Colombian, on-loan from Real Madrid, was on target in Bayern’s 6-0 win over Wolfsburg at the weekend; as close a performance to perfection as you’re likely to see.
That victory sent Bayern back to the top of the Bundesliga table on goal difference for the first time since September. Now their sights are set on a place in the last eight of the Champions League, and James is adamant he and his team are focused and motivated for their tie with last year’s defeated finalists in the competition.
"We have to show a perfect game at home to get ahead. Liverpool have very fast players, they feel good when they get space. That's why we have to play very focused, get down to business with great motivation and play a good game," James told fcbayern.com.
There's more from the Colombian maestro here
FIVE REASONS BAYERN CAN BEAT LIVERPOOL
#3) Magical midfield
Klopp claimed ahead of the first leg that he would have bought tickets himself to watch the game if he had not been involved. And the trio Bayern used to shutdown Liverpool's engine room in the first leg — Javi Martinez, James Rodriguez, Thiago Alcantara — are surely three players he would happily pay to see; even if he wouldn't want to admit to that right now.
All three were superb in the first encounter; Martinez closing space and winning possession, allowing Thiago and James to orchestrate the Bayern attack with metronomic distribution.
James' ability to keep a cool head in the stiflingly frantic climes of an opponents' final third make him the ideal man to not only tee up Lewandowski but also bring Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry into play on the flanks.
Thiago's influence is also unmistakable. The Spain international's superhero-standard vision with the passing skills to match make him a deep-lying playmaker in the style of Andrea Pirlo, the pioneer of the art.
If that wasn't enough, Leon Goretzka - who missed the first leg with an ankle sprain - could return to the lineup and add even greater potency as arguably Bayern's most in-form player.
KOVAC: 'TAKE OUR CHANCES'
Bayern had smashed 31 goals in their previous seven last-16 ties before going to England, and with his team's cutting edge razor-sharp, coach Niko Kovac wants them to go for the visitors' jugular.
"What we need to do is be more efficient up front. See an opportunity and take advantage. We’ve shown creativity in our recent Bundesliga games, scored plenty of goals and also not conceded many. I’m confident the fans will give us the boost to do that tomorrow," said Kovac, whose approach to the game will — of necessity — be a positive one.
"We need balance, but we also need to win no matter what, regardless of whether Liverpool score. They’ve got an advantage if they score, but we simply need to win. And the support we’ll get tomorrow, from our 70,000 fans, will be something we’ll never forget, and we need to take that out with us onto the pitch."
There's more from the Bayern boss' pre-match presser here
FIVE REASONS BAYERN CAN BEAT LIVERPOOL
2) Niklas Süle vs. Roberto Firmino
When Niklas Süle came off the bench to replace Andreas Ludwig for his Bundesliga debut in a 4-1 loss to Hamburg on Matchday 33 of the 2012/13 campaign, he was just a footnote for the stat-obsessed while his Hoffenheim teammate Roberto Firmino was already a star-in-the making.
The Brazilian, who left the Rhein Neckar Arena for Anfield in 2015, probably does not even remember that game, but his reunion with his ex-teammate is likely to live much longer in the memory. And not for the happiest of reasons.
While Firmino has developed into one of the continent's most feared attackers, if there is one defender who will not be bowed, it is Süle.
“When I look at Süle, he's going to be a superb player, world class,” beamed Jupp Heynckes, still Bayern coach when they closed the deal to bring the 6'5" barn door of a centre-back to the Allianz Arena. “In a couple of years, he'll be the most sought-after central defender in Europe."
The potential Heynckes saw has stood out this season with Süle the one solid constant in the middle of the Bayern back four with Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng faltering with fitness and form.
True, Süle has Sadio Mane and Mo Salah to keep a watchful eye on too — the terrifying pace at which he can propel his imposing frame will be more than a 'power up' against those two — but if he can muzzle Firmino, snapping the strings the ex-Hoffenheim man usually pulls in freeing his fellow forwards, he will have given Bayern a potentially tie-turning edge.
FIVE REASONS BAYERN CAN BEAT LIVERPOOL
#1) Lewandowski learned Klopp's lessons
"He released that striker's instinct in me," is how Robert Lewandowski described the contribution Jürgen Klopp made to his career during four seasons at Borussia Dortmund together. With his former protege now having netted 197 goals in 281 Bundesliga games, the Liverpool manager may live to regret his efforts in awakening the insatiable goalscoring beast lurking inside the Poland international.
Lewandowski has four goals from his previous two Bundesliga outings to take his league tally to 17 in 24 appearances, while he showed in the group stage that if you let him get too close, his cutting edge will draw more than just first blood.
His eight group-stage goals were a competition high, with half of them coming at home. Lewandowski also became the first man to 100 competitive goals at the Allianz last month and the Pole could prove the difference maker in the surrounds of his happiest hunting ground.
"I'm pleased with how we played today, that was a good game for the Champions League," the 30-year-old said this weekend after Bayern saw off Wolfsburg with what Lewandowski believes was the perfect preparation for facing Liverpool.
Good news from Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski says he can see himself being with Bayern Munich beyond the end of his current contract in 2021.
Lewandowski has been a central figure for Bayern ever since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2014. He remains the Bundesliga champions' frontline forward, and told SPORT BILD he can see himself still wearing Bayern's famous red shirt for a long time yet.
"Let's see what happens. I still want to play football for a long time and I can imagine myself being with Bayern for a long time to come," Lewandowski said. "I have a lot of fun here, and my family feels good."
Click here to read the full story
The Kimmich conundrum
Joshua Kimmich's yellow card in the first leg of Bayern Munich's goalless draw at Liverpool was the one black spot to come out of the Bundesliga title-holders' UEFA Champions League Last 16 trip to Anfield.
It was the tigerish Germany international's third caution of the competition this season and means he will be forced to sit out the return at the Allianz Arena on 13 March. The enforced absence of Kimmich, who has a Bundesliga-high 10 assists this season, is a major blow to Bayern, and gives Niko Kovac a conundrum: how do I replace him?
bundesliga.com looks at the different options the Bayern boss has. Click here to see what they are.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to our live build-up to tonight's UEFA Champions League Last 16 second tie at the Allianz Arena where Bayern Munich host Liverpool (kick-off 9p.m.CET/8p.m.GMT/4p.m.ET). Goalless after the first leg, we could have extra-time and penalties tonight...
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