BY OUR MAN IN MUNICH
MUNICH, GERMANY – The magnificent, light-flashing bowl of the Allianz Arena became the stage for a spectacular Bayern Munich turnaround last night, as the German giants shrugged off a shocking start to defeat Sporting CP 3-1 in a thrilling Champions League encounter.
For over an hour, the home of the record champions was stunned into a silent, disbelieving tableau by a resilient Sporting side.
The sleek, cutting-edge architectural marvel in the north of Munich, usually a fortress for the Bavarians, looked for a while like it might host a major European upset.
Sporting’s shock lead, courtesy of a Joshua Kimmich own goal nine minutes after the break, threatened to turn the usually jubilant 75,000-capacity ground into a cauldron of anxiety.
The home crowd, who give the Allianz Arena its famed atmosphere, were momentarily silenced.
But this grand stage for world-class football soon witnessed an electric Bayern blitz. Inspired by the sheer pressure their crowd demanded, Vincent Kompany’s men turned the screw.
The equaliser came on 65 minutes through Serge Gnabry, and the famous glowing façade of the Allianz seemed to burn brighter in renewed confidence.
The comeback was completed by teenage sensation Lennart Karl just four minutes later, sending the arena into a frenzy. Jonathan Tah added a third on 77 minutes to seal the 3-1 victory.
The result puts Bayern on the brink of automatic qualification for the knockout stages, a win secured on a ground that is fast becoming their undisputed European lucky charm.
The Allianz Arena, a venue that oozes pedigree and champions’ history, was once again the deciding factor, intimidating their opponents and spurring their heroes to a vital comeback.
