After enjoying faultless three and a half months of the 2024/25 season, Bayern Munich suffered their first defeat of the campaign away at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Arsenal clinched a 3-1 win in the top-of-the-table clash in the Champions League against Bayern.
Arsenal opened the scoring in the first half, but Lennart Karl scored a goal to equalize in the 32nd minute to ensure both teams went into half-time at 1-1. The hosts dominated the second half and deservedly scored two more goals to clinch all three points.
Bayern boasted a record of 17 wins and 1 draw in their last 18 games. The defending Bundesliga champions have played scintillating football this season. However, they were second best in and out of possession against Premier League leaders on Wednesday.
It was a disappointing defeat for Bayern since the squad was eager to do well in what was probably their biggest game of the season until now. While talking to the media after the game (via iMiaSanMia), Joshua Kimmich admitted that it was a deserved defeat, but the result will help the team in the long run.
"This was an extremely important game for us. I'm convinced we'll learn a lot from it and improve certain aspects of our game. We had games last season like the Barça game, which wasn't good, and that we learned a lot from. It's important to take the next step in our development."Joshua Kimmich
Losing at Emirates Stadium in November will not have a big impact on Bayern’s campaign. They have struggled with set-pieces in the last three games. Arsenal also scored one goal from a set-piece. This defeat will ensure that the squad continues to work on this weakeness, and there is no complacency in the group. It is fair to say that Bayern probably had this game instead of the latter stages of the Champions League.
Kimmich confident about straightforward qualification to round of 16
Due to the defeat on Wednesday, Bayern slipped to third place in the Champions League points table. The Bavarian club needs to finish in the top 8 to ensure they straightaway qualify for the round of 16.
Kimmich is confident that Bayern can achieve their target of finishing in the top 8 by performing in the remaining three group games. Die Roten will play the next two games at Allianz Arena against Sporting CP and Union St. Gilloise. They will finish their group stage with a trip to PSV Eindhoven. Winning these three games will ensure Bayern finish in the top eight.
The immediate focus turns towards the weekend’s Bundesliga clash against St. Paul. Vincent Kompany’s men will be eager to get on the pitch this weekend to start a new winning run.