Bayern Munich Outlasts Manchester United 4-3 in Champions League Opener

 Bayern Munich Outlasts Manchester United 4-3 in Champions League Opener

Bayern Munich Outlasts Manchester United 4-3 in Champions League Opener(Image-Getty)

Bayern Munich kicked off their Champions League Group A campaign with a thrilling 4-3 victory over a struggling Manchester United on Wednesday. The Bavarian giants, known for their dominance in the group stage, extended their unbeaten run to 28 home matches in this competition, although they had some defensive lapses.

The match featured a total of seven goals, with three coming in the dying moments of the game. Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry found the net for Bayern in the 28th and 32nd minutes, giving them an early lead. However, injury-plagued Manchester United pulled one back in the 49th minute through Rasmus Hojlund's deflected effort.

Bayern extended their lead with a Harry Kane penalty, awarded for a handball by Christian Eriksen, just four minutes later. The game concluded with a flurry of late goals, including United's Casemiro scoring on either side of Mathys Tel's stoppage-time effort. Bayern also hit the woodwork twice, courtesy of Sane and Thomas Mueller.

Bayern's coach, Thomas Tuchel, who was serving a suspension from last season and was not on the touchline, commented on the result, saying, "Tonight’s result was big for our confidence and development, but there are still things to work on. We’re posing a threat in every game, creating chances in every game, but we were very reserved in the opening exchanges and lucky not to fall behind. We're not 100% happy so far, but the reactions to adversity tonight were very good."

Manchester United, on the other hand, faced their third consecutive loss, having previously been defeated by Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal. This marks the first time since December 1978 that they've conceded three or more goals in three consecutive matches.

The match started well for United, with Eriksen's fourth-minute shot testing Bayern's goalkeeper, Sven Ulreich. However, it was an error by United's Andre Onana that allowed Bayern to take the lead when he let Sane's tame shot slip past him.

Bayern extended their lead with Jamal Musiala setting up Gnabry after a brilliant solo run. Hojlund's goal early in the second half gave United some hope, but Bayern quickly restored their two-goal lead with Kane's penalty.

In a frenetic finish, Casemiro scored twice for United, while Bayern substitute Tel powered the ball into the net moments before the final whistle.

United's coach, Erik ten Hag, expressed disappointment, saying, "Disappointed because we should stay in the game. If you score three goals at Bayern Munich you have to take a point. We are in a period, a lot is going against us. We have to make our own luck. We've played great teams in the last three games."

In another Group A match, Galatasaray fought back with two late goals to secure a 2-2 draw at home against 10-man Copenhagen. Diogo Goncalves and Mohamed Elyounoussi gave Copenhagen a 2-0 lead, but a late surge by Galatasaray, with goals from Sacha Boey and substitute Tete, earned them a point. Copenhagen's Elias Jelert was sent off in the 73rd minute for a second booking.