Bayern Munich Grind Out a 1-0 Win Against SL Benfica: Player Ratings
The Bavarians weren't exactly firing on all cylinders, but a late goal from Leroy Sané was enough to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win against SL Benfica in the Champions League. Let's dive into the player ratings and see who impressed and who struggled.
Bayern Munich:
Manuel Neuer (8/10): The German legend was rock-solid as ever, pulling off some crucial saves. His presence alone is enough to intimidate any attack, and he was a calming influence throughout the game.
Benjamin Pavard (7/10): A solid performance from Pavard at right-back. He defended well and was also involved in the build-up play. Nothing flashy, just a reliable performance.
Dayot Upamecano (7/10): Dominant in the air and a beast in tackles, Upamecano's partnership with Lucas Hernandez was a key factor in shutting down Benfica's attack.
Lucas Hernandez (7/10): Strong and assertive, Hernandez played a vital role in keeping Benfica's forwards at bay. He also showed some nice touches on the ball.
Alphonso Davies (7/10): Davies provided a constant threat down the left flank, creating chances and forcing Benfica's defenders to be on their toes.
Joshua Kimmich (7/10): A midfield general as usual, Kimmich dictated the tempo of the game. He was everywhere on the pitch, breaking up attacks and starting attacks with his pinpoint passing.
Leon Goretzka (6/10): Goretzka worked hard but didn't have his usual impact. He was a bit too quiet in the final third.
Serge Gnabry (6/10): Gnabry was a constant threat, but he lacked the killer instinct in front of goal. Still, his movement and pace were a real nuisance for Benfica.
Thomas Müller (6/10): Müller played his usual intelligent game, making dangerous runs and creating chances. It just wasn't his night in front of goal.
Jamal Musiala (6/10): Musiala was a bit too eager to try things, but he also showed flashes of his brilliance. He'll need to be more composed in future games.
Leroy Sané (8/10): He was a bit quiet until the late goal, but Sané provided the moment of magic that Bayern needed. His finish was clinical, and it was a big relief for him after a few frustrating matches.
Substitutes:
Kingsley Coman (6/10): He added some pace and energy after coming on, but he couldn't really impact the game.
Sadio Mané (5/10): A bit frustrating to watch, Mané didn't really get into the game.
Ryan Gravenberch (N/A): Didn't play long enough to be rated.
SL Benfica:
Odysseas Vlachodimos (7/10): Made several crucial saves, keeping Benfica in the game for as long as possible. He was a wall at times.
Alexander Bah (6/10): A decent performance from Bah at right-back, but he was outmatched by Davies at times.
Antonio Silva (6/10): The young defender looked solid at times but was caught out of position on Sané's goal.
Morato (6/10): A decent performance from Morato, but he struggled to contain the Bayern attack.
Nicolás Otamendi (6/10): The veteran defender put in a good shift, but he couldn't stop Bayern from getting their goal.
João Mário (7/10): A standout performance from Mário, who controlled the midfield and provided some dangerous passes.
Chiquinho (6/10): Chiquinho was a bit invisible for long stretches, but he showed some nice touches on the ball when he did get involved.
David Neres (6/10): Neres struggled to create clear-cut chances, but he showed flashes of his pace and skill.
Gonçalo Ramos (5/10): Had a quiet game in front of goal. He didn't get many chances and struggled to get into the game.
Rafa Silva (5/10): Rafa Silva was a bit too wasteful in possession, and he couldn't break down the Bayern defence.
Substitutes:
Julian Draxler (N/A): Didn't play long enough to be rated.
Mihailo Ristic (N/A): Didn't play long enough to be rated.
Overall, Bayern Munich managed to grind out a hard-fought win against a stubborn Benfica side. While not their most convincing performance, the three points are crucial in their quest for Champions League glory.