How Sport Bild, Kicker, Die Welt and TZ reported the draw between Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
Arsenal fought bravely away at Bayern Munich last night but they couldn’t quite get the result they needed as they went out of the Champions League following a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena.
The Gunners went into the game needing a 2-0 win to force the match into extra time and their task became even more difficult when Bastian Schweinsteiger put his employers ahead.
Lukas Podolski responded quickly with a thunderous shot from a tight angle but they couldn’t get the goals needed as Bayern saw out the match to progress to the quarter-finals.
Here’s what the German press made of the match.
Sport Bild focused more on the historic defence of the trophy Bayern Munich are aiming for while commenting on the injury to Mesut Ozil which saw the German taken off at half-time.
“Bayern Munich continued its historic path to ‘triple defence’ despite a draw. The clearly superior German football – progresses to the quarter-finals for the 14th time in the Champions League.
“For the Gunners the shocking weak Mesut Ozil was replaced at half-time because of a thigh injury – he will be examined today.”
Kicker looked more at the manner of the performance, seemingly surprised that Bayern progressed when they weren’t at their best. Kicker commented on the way Arsenal setup with a very attacking outlet but buckled under the pressure of the occasion.
“Without much trouble, Bayern reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The defending champion did enough in a controlled 1-1 draw against Arsenal to face Atletico Madrid for the first time in 17 years.
“Giroud, Ozil, Podolski and Santi Cazorla started in an offensive outlook for Arsenal – and they started quite well early on and built pressure.”
Die Welt took a very similar approach to reporting the game to Kicker, commenting on how Bayern made it through not playing anywhere near their best football, with their headline reading “Bayern Munich at half power into the quarter finals”. The report seems a little more critical of Bayern than other sources.
“It was low voltage in the second round between Bayern and Arsenal. Londoners were disappointed even after the goal by Lukas Podolski, Munich could even afford a missed penalty.”
Die Welt also took a very blunt approach to reporting the performance of Mesut Ozil, not putting a spin on his performance simply selecting a stat to focus on.
“In just 21 touches of the ball Ozil produced a moderate pass rate of 58 per cent.”
TZ echoed the report from Bild, focusing on the idea that Bayern are still looking at an historic defence of the Champions League after winning the competition last season.
“Bayern continue their quest for the ‘triple defence’ – The Bavarians defended well and gave Arsenal the correct answers when they asked questions.”
TZ also took the occasion to have a little stab at Arsene Wenger, suggesting he’s been left with a lot of egg on his face following his comments suggesting Bayern were stronger when the sides met last season.
“The Arsenal coach had dared to put questions over Guardiola’s Bavaria before kick-off – well yesterday the London side were no real danger on the way to the last eight of the competition.”
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