Bayern Munich secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Benfica in the fourth round of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Wednesday night.
Despite facing fierce resistance from their Portuguese opponents, Bayern managed to find the breakthrough they so desperately needed, ending a two-game losing streak.
Throughout the match, Munich struggled to break down Benfica’s well-organized defense, finding little success with their attacks.
However, the standout performance came from their defense, anchored by the formidable Kim Min-jae. His commanding presence at the back not only neutralized Benfica’s attacking threats but also helped initiate several promising counter-attacks.
Bayern’s starting lineup featured veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, with a defense composed of Kim Min-jae, Dayot Upamecano, and Alphonso Davies.
In midfield, the lineup included Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, and new signings Harry Kane and Micky van de Ven.
Meanwhile, Benfica, under the guidance of their coach, started with goalkeeper Truvin, and a defense that included Nicolás Otamendi, João Araujo, and Gilberto.
The first half saw little goal-scoring action, with Bayern unable to break through Benfica’s staunch defense. The closest they came was a mid-range shot from Kane in the 32nd minute, followed by a powerful shot from Kane that was blocked by Truvin in the 33rd minute. Kane and Gnabry made several attempts to test Truvin in the 38th minute, but the Benfica goalkeeper was in excellent form, making crucial saves.
Musiala, too, had a close-range shot blocked by Truvin just before halftime, leaving the teams deadlocked at 0-0.
The second half saw a similar pattern, with Bayern pushing forward but finding little joy in attack. Kane had a promising chance in the 54th minute, following a dribble into the box, but his shot struck the side netting. Just minutes later, Benfica’s attack also came close, with a shot from Palinha going wide of Neuer’s goal.
In the 59th minute, Bayern had two golden opportunities to break the deadlock: a shot from Reimer went wide, and another from Musiala was thwarted by Truvin’s reflex save. In the 64th minute, Truvin was again called into action, denying Musiala with another superb stop.
Despite the constant pressure from Benfica, it was Kim Min-jae who stood tall, making key interventions to keep the score level.
One such moment came in the 66th minute when he made a crucial tackle to prevent a counterattack from Benfica’s dangerous forward line.
Finally, Bayern found their moment in the 67th minute. A brilliant cross from Serge Gnabry was met by Harry Kane’s header, which set up Musiala for a precise header into the net, putting Bayern 1-0 ahead.
Benfica fought back, pressing for an equalizer, but Kim Min-jae continued to thwart their efforts, making vital clearances and interceptions.
Munich weathered the storm and held firm, preventing Benfica from creating any further meaningful chances.
In the end, Bayern’s resilience paid off as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory, ensuring they rebounded from their recent setbacks.
The win was a testament to their defensive strength, with Kim Min-jae playing a pivotal role in the clean sheet. The Allianz Arena erupted in celebration as Bayern moved closer to securing their spot in the next round of the competition.
