Os Leões suffer a 3-1 defeat in the Champions League

Sporting CP lost 3-1 to FC Bayern Munich in their sixth UEFA Champions League group stage game, ending a 12-game unbeaten run for Rui Borges’ men. After taking the lead against the run of play in the second half, a flurry of goals from the German champions meant the points stayed at the Allianz Arena.

Whilst Bayern Munich had practically a full squad to choose from -bar the suspended Luis Díaz-, Sporting CP had to adapt to the absences of Pedro Gonçalves, Francisco Trincão and Geovany Quenda. Borges made a total of four changes to the starting XI used in the Clássico against SL Benfica, bringing in João Simões, Maxi Araújo, Matheus Reis and Eduardo Quaresma. Gonçalo Inácio and Hidemasa Morita were on a bench accompanied by youngsters Rodrigo Ribeiro, Flávio Gonçalves, Salvador Blopa and Eduardo Felicíssimo.

Matheus Reis equalled Rui Patrício as the Sporting CP player with the most UEFA Champions League appearances ever (26) – a feat that the unused Inácio is also one game away from matching.

On a cold night in Munich, Sporting CP were on the defensive early against the expected dominance of the Germans, who wanted to respond to their only defeat of the season in their previous Champions League game against Arsenal. Proof of this intention occurred when young talent Lennart Karl had the ball in the net just five minutes into the game, although it was promptly disallowed for offside.

For Sporting CP, the first period was a true test of patience and organisation, played almost exclusively in their own half, as they tried to counter-attack whenever possible. FC Bayern Munich circled the Sporting area, making some initial probing attacks until, in the 24th minute, Rui Silva had to make a flying save to parry a dangerous cross-shot from Serge Gnabry.

Immediately afterward, it was Bayern’s Manuel Neuer who had to intervene, as a run by Geny Catamo and subsequent cross almost resulted in an own goal in Sporting CP’s favour.

The pressure intensified in the final stretch of the first half, but the post and Rui Silva combined to keep the game goalless: On 37 minutes, the woodwork denied a long-range shot from Harry Kane, and on 44 minutes the Sporting CP goalkeeper prevailed in a one-on-one with Lennart Karl. In between these chances, a header from defender Josip Stanišić also went just wide.

It was the first time this season that Bayern Munich had failed to score in the first half when playing at home.

The second half began very differently, with Sporting CP more daring with the ball and more dangerous when going forward. Breaking down the left, Alisson Santos attempted a cross-shot that went just wide of the post, and Luis Suárez couldn't quite reach it in time to finish off the chance.

Santos created another chance soon after, releasing João Simões on the wing, and the midfielder reached the byline, crossed the ball, and Joshua Kimmich deflected it into his own net. In the 54th minute, Sporting CP took the lead at home against FC Bayern München, sparking a huge celebration from the travelling supporters.

In the moments following their making it 0-1, Os Leões had their best spell, becoming increasingly effective with the ball. However, from two shots on target – one by Kimmich and one by Karl – the Bundesliga leaders delivered a decisive response to change the game.

Off a corner, Gnabry appeared unmarked at the far post to equalise, and just four minutes later, Karl entered the area and beat Rui Silva, turning the game around in the blink of an eye.

Furthermore, a scuffle between players from both teams resulted in a yellow card for Morten Hjulmand, who will therefore miss the home game against Paris Saint Germain in the next round.

A reinvigorated Bayern Munich improved their performance and, before the final ten minutes, also made it 3-1, taking advantage of a set piece. This time, a second ball fell to striker Jonathan Tah in the area, and he provided the killer blow.

Rui Borges refreshed his side by bringing on Ricardo Mangas (making his Champions League debut), Georgios Vagiannidis and Fotis Ioannidis, and Sporting CP still tried to attack, but a last-second interception prevented Suárez from reducing the deficit, and it remained unchanged until the end.

Sporting CP remain on ten points in the Champions League and have fallen out of the direct qualification zone, whilst Bayern Munich now have 15 points and have already secured a place in the next phase.

Now attention turns to Liga Portugal, with the upcoming match against AFS scheduled for Saturday at 8:30pm.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Eduardo Quaresma (Georgios Vagiannidis, 80'), Matheus Reis, Maxi Araújo (Salvador Blopa, 90+2'), Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 90+2'), Geny Catamo (Fotis Ioannidis, 80'), Alisson Santos (Ricardo Mangas, 66'), Luis Suárez