Neuer: Bayern ‘lucky’ Lewandowski did not score on UCL return

Manuel Neuer, the goalkeeper for Bayern Munich, feels that his team was “fortunate” not to have let Robert Lewandowski score on his return to Bavaria.

The international from Poland has been amazing since joining Barcelona, netting a hat-trick for the Blaugrana in his Champions League debut last week against Viktoria Plzen. But in the Allianz Arena, he was unable to increase his total.

Lewandowski wasted a chance on the volley by shooting his attempt over the crossbar, and Neuer, a former teammate, stopped him from scoring with a close-range header.

Lewandowski had a short opportunity to capitalize on both, and Neuer acknowledged that Bayern had luck on their side in their 2-0 triumph.

He told reporters:

“I think it was an emotional game for Lewy because he was very successful here in Munich.

“But we also know him as an opponent. Luck was not on his side in crucial moments.

“We’re lucky he sent that volley over the bar, and I was in the second chance.

“We showed a good defensive performance today.”

Lewandowski was effective despite not scoring, according to Julian Nagelsmann, who acknowledged that the majority of pre-game hype was on Bayern’s reunion with the striker.

He said:

“I think he played a good game; I’m happy he didn’t score from our perspective.

“We saw that he was dangerous. We were able to defend him very well.

“I saw him after the game and hugged him, but he plays for a different club now.

“And I have a lot of players I have to look out for.

“This week, I probably had 60 questions on Lewandowski.

“You can pose those questions to Xavi because he’s not my player anymore.”

Barcelona head coach Xavi said:

“I don’t think he could have been pressured, with his maturity and experience.

“It is a lack of effectiveness. It’s football, and this happens. And it happens in the stadium where it couldn’t happen.”

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