Even at halftime, FC Bayern looked like the sure winner in the Bundesliga in Heidenheim. But then the newcomer shocked the Munich team, who were once again careless.
Harry Kane gave Bayern a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute in front of 15,000 spectators, and Serge Gnabry increased the lead before halftime (45th). But after the break the game turned sour. Kevin Sessa (50th) scored the next goal, Tim Kleindienst (51st) was able to equalize and then scored the winning goal (79th).
Müller sets a milestone
Thomas Müller reached another milestone in his successful career in Heidenheim. The 34-year-old played his 700th competitive game for FC Bayern. According to the club, only goalkeeper icon Sepp Maier (80) has made more competitive appearances for Munich with 709 games. Müller made his competitive debut in August 2008.
For Bayern, the defeat is another bitter setback. The gap between the second-placed team and leaders Bayer Leverkusen increased to 16 points. In addition, coach Thomas Tuchel’s team was unable to gain any self-confidence for their appearance in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League at Arsenal on Tuesday. The Heidenheimers improved to tenth place with 33 points.
The fact that Tuchel had to do without captain Manuel Neuer, Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Noussair Mazraoui should not be an excuse for the completely desolate second half.
To the live ticker: Heidenheim – FC Bayern arrow right 28th matchday arrow right
Referee change at half time
Curious situation: Because referee Robert Schröder was struggling with circulatory problems, fourth official Patrick Alt had to step in for him at the start of the second half. For the 39-year-old business IT specialist from Illingen in Saarland, it was his first time in the upper house after 83 games in the second division.
Bayern dominated in the first half
At halftime everything looked like a clear win for Bayern. The Munich team dominated the game almost at will, Heidenheim was particularly harmless on offense. However, the promoted team defended cleverly, which is why Bayern needed a little patience.
But then the goals came. In the 38th minute, the ball passed through Müller and Gnabry to Kane, who didn’t miss the chance in front of the goal. A little later, Gnabry headed in from a cross from Alphonso Davies.
Heidenheim shocks the people of Munich
After the break, the game ended in just a few minutes. Tim Kleindienst extended a long shot from goalkeeper Kevin Müller with his head to Marvin Pieringer, who put his heel through for Sessa in a remarkable way. The Joker kept his nerve and pushed in. A little later, Jan-Niklas Beste hit the ball perfectly from the left half of the field into the back of the FCB defense. Kleindienst broke away from Kim’s back and hit the ball unstoppably into the goal.
Bayern responded, but Mathys Tel was denied by Müller and Kane narrowly missed the goal. But in the middle of Munich’s pressure phase, Heidenheim countered the record champions ice cold. Omar Traoré went up and down the right and then fed Pieringer. The attacker kept an overview in the penalty area and passed it across to Kleindienst, who scored the winning goal.
Bayern against Cologne, Heidenheim in Bochum
Bayern are expecting 1. FC Cologne on the next matchday on Saturday (April 13, 2024, 3:30 p.m.), while Heidenheim has to play VfL Bochum at the same time.