Musiala gets Bayern back on ECL track
Germany’s midfielder Jamal Musiala celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 football match against Denmark at the BVB Stadion Dortmund. PHOTO: AFP
A second-half Jamal Musiala goal got Bayern Munich back on track in the Champions League with a 1-0 home win over Benfica on Wednesday.
Struggling in Europe after back-to-back losses left them outside the knockout places, Musiala broke through the stubborn Benfica defence, heading in a Harry Kane assist.
Bayern were dominant in possession but carved out few clear-cut chances, lacking fluency in front of a silent home crowd who refused to sing out of respect for a hospitalised fan.
Despite the win, Bayern still have work to do in Europe, with this season's Champions League final on home soil.
The German giants sit 17th, one behind Dinamo Zagreb who they beat 9-2 in their opener. Bayern face French champions Paris Saint-Germain next in the competition.
"We had good moments. The opponent defended well. It was very important to get three points today," Musiala said after the match.
"We don't have to win every game by four or five goals. Sometimes 1-0 is enough. We had to be patient. Now we carry on and look to the next game."
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said: "Sometimes it's good to win like this -- even though we of course prefer to win by three or four.
"I knew we needed to stay patient and calm. We did that well. It was a good game and a good win."
Unbeaten at the top of Bundesliga table under Kompany, Bayern have struggled in the Champions League this season despite the barnstorming opener against Zagreb.
A 1-0 loss at Aston Villa and a 4-1 thrashing by a supercharged Barcelona under former Bayern boss Hansi Flick had the six-time European champions flagging in the Champions League's new single-league format.
With the match delayed by 15 minutes due to public transport issues and with their home fans silent due to a medical emergency in the stands, Bayern struggled.
Bayern captain Manuel Neuer told reporters the side "didn't celebrate in the cabin like we normally would" due to the incident.
Musiala and Michael Olise dribbled in from either flank but were unable to break through a Benfica side looking to sit deep and take advantage of Bayern's risky high line on the counter.
The best chance of the opening half fell to Serge Gnabry, who forced a strong save out of Anatoliy Trubin on the half-volley after 38 minutes.
As the game wore on Bayern grew nervous, even if Benfica had few genuine chances as they looked for a first win in their 11th match against the hosts.