This was a tough night for football lovers around the world. What to watch – Real Madrid – Manchester City or Arsenal – Bayern? It’s true, the first game was more interesting and is probably the best game so far in the Champions League, but all those Gunners and Germans who watched the second game faced all the emotions – joy, sorrow, grief and excitement, as the first game between the clubs ended in a 2-2 draw, with plenty of chances, goals and controversies. While the hosts were clearly in better overall form (sitting at the top of the Premier League and having not been defeated since February), Bayern is still a European giant and a club with lots of experience in these games. The Germans are about to lose their Bundesliga title after 11 consecutive years, and coach Thomas Tuchel will leave the club, but when they are so far in the tournament, Bayern players are playing for themselves and the club, not the coach, and they managed to turn the game around, before a golden sub-Leandro Trossard scored an equalizer.
But the exciting game got a Hollywood-like twits when Saka was not given a penalty in the 94th minute and VAR confirmed the referee’s decision, who ended the game just a minute later. Bayern’s Neuer and Saka were in contact, and in the upcoming days, there will be a debate if Arsenal’s winger fell over Neuer’s leg, or it was a penalty.Mikel Arteta’s men took the lead in the 12th minute when Saka started Arsenal’s high press, winning the ball deep in Bayern’s half before Ben White’s return pass picked out the England winger in the area. Saka’s strike was a perfect one, just in the very corner and past Manuel Neuer for his 18th goal in all competitions this term. But the Bavarians are experienced and they punished Gabriel Magalhaes careless move six minutes later. Sane passed to Goretzka who assisted to Gnabry, and the former Arsenal man equalized. Then it was time for another Gunners defender to make a mistake. William Saliba’s crude challenge on Sane was enough for a penalty in the 32nd minute and former Tottenham forward Harry Kane was as precise as ever. In an inspired tactical change, Arteta sent on Trossard and Gabriel Jesus in the second half, lifting Arsenal out of their lethargy in time to snatch a 76th-minute equalizer which gives hope to the Gunners, who are playing in front of an empty Allianz Arena in eight days.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – QUARTER-FINALSFirst legTuesdayArsenal – Bayern 2-2 (1-2)/Saka 12, Trossard 76 – Gnabry 18, Kane 32(p)Real Madrid – Man.City 3-3 (2-1)/Dias (og) 12, Rodrygo 14, Valverde 79 – Silva 2, Foden 66, Gvardiol 71/Wednesday22:00: (1.85) Atl.Madrid (3.60) Dortmund (4.80)22:00: (2.05) PSG (3.60) Barcelona (3.80)***odds are subject to change***