In what was a nail-biting Champions League showdown on Wednesday night, Bayern Munich clinched their semi-final ticket as they secured a 1-0 victory against Arsenal at the Allianz.
With the German giants putting in a gritty performance in north London last week as they claimed a first-leg 2-2 stalemate, it was midfield talisman Joshua Kimmich who proved to be Bayern’s hero here.
Watching the Germany international produce a thunderous header in the 63rd-minute, Wednesday’s hosts will now turn their attention to a heavyweight semi-final battle against Real Madrid.
Despite being unable to call upon the likes of Serge Gantry and Kingsley Coman here, Bayern cashed in on an Arsenal squad who failed to find any real fluidity away from the Emirates.
Missing out on what they had billed as a golden chance over the past week, Mikel Arteta’s young squad have endured a public nightmare and were certainly hit with a major psychological blow on foreign soil.
Watching their Premier League title ambitions take a major dent over the weekend, Arsenal have still failed to book a Champions League semi-final ticket since 2009.
On a night when Bayern collected a heavyweight European scalp at the Allianz, we have taken a look at all the main talking points.
Bayern collect a heavyweight scalp
Officially relinquishing their Bundesliga crown to a record-breaking Bayer Leverkusen over the weekend, many were wondering if Munich would show any signs of an emotional hangover on Wednesday night.
However, with it no secret that the German giants now have all of their eggs in this season’s Champions League basket, Thomas Tuchel’s men have certainly proven why they still sit among Europe’s elite.
Putting in a rugged performance in north London last week as they left the Emirates with a first-leg 2-2 draw, Bayern couldn’t have wished for a better distraction from their domestic nightmare.
Although it might have already been confirmed that Tuchel will be leaving that Allianz at the end of the season, the ex-Chelsea boss will be desperate to sign off his rollercoaster in Munich with a second Champions League medal on his CV.
Making a real heavyweight statement here and more than deserving of their semi-final spot following a pair of rugged performances over the past week, Bayern will be relishing a final four showdown against Real Madrid.
The Gunners suffer a nightmare week
While Arsenal might have come flying out of the traps in a remarkable fashion when opening the New Year, Arteta’s young squad have endured a public nightmare over the past week.
Although the Gunners might have marked their return from March’s international break with their sights set on securing a famous double-winning campaign, Arsenal now look set for another season without a piece of silverware to show for their troubles.
Missing out on the chance to claim a first-leg advantage in north London last week as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate at the Emirates, Arteta’s men will know that they face a real backlash over the coming days.
Watching their Premier League title ambitions take a major dent over the weekend as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, Arsenal have watched all of their hard work come crumbling away in the space of a week.
Failing to book a first Champions League semi-final ticket since way back in 2019, the Gunners also failed to win just one of their five European showdowns outside of north London this season.
Kane can still claim a maiden trophy
Making the move from Tottenham in a blockbuster £100million switch last summer, Harry Kane had made it abundantly clear that his decision was solely focused around getting his hands on a first piece of silverware.
With nobody felling the affects of Bayern’s domestic collapse more than the England skipper, Kane himself has continued on a record-breaking flurry since arriving in Germany.
Converting from the spot on his return to north London last week and clearly overjoyed at getting one over on his former arch-rivals here, the former Spurs talisman will certainly play a leading role in Bayern’s Champions League charge over the next month.
Although Bayern might have failed to claim a 12th consecutive Bundesliga crown this season, Kane has bagged 39 goals across all competitions and has registered a further 10 assists.
Only underlining his status as one of Europe’s most clinical marksmen, the 30-year-old is clearly enjoying life in Munich and has set a string of personal records.
Match Report
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Kimmich, de Lift, Dier, Mazraoui, Goretzka, Laimer, Sane, Musiala, Guerreiro, Kane
Subs: Kim, Upamecano
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Subs: Nketiah, Jesus, Trossard
Goals: Kimmich (63’)
Yellow Cards: Bayern Munich: Kimmich, Laimer – Arsenal: White, Jesus
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Danny Makkelie
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