It could have been a marvelous Wednesday night for the youngest manager in the history of UEFA Champions League – RB Salzburg’s Matthias Jaissle – but the favourites from Munich did not allow for a sensation to happen. A late equalizer from Kingsley Coman brought the Red Bulls back to reality – final score 1-1 at Salzburg Arena.A match-up of two young managers brought a cautious approach from both sides. Salzburg coach Jaissle and Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann are a combined 68 years and 160 days old today which is the youngest combined age for two opposing managers in competition history. What makes this piece of statistic even more interesting is the fact that in the starting lineup of the home team – Andreas Ulmer, left flank defender for the hosts – is older than both German experts who lead their teams tonight.Firmino’s artistic header and Salah shock Inter as Nerazzurri fire nothing but blanksLet’s go back to the match itself. The hosts came out with no brakes and no fear when facing the favourites from Bundeslinga. Several African players were crucial for Salzburg’s performance tonight – some with African passports, some representing European countries they grew up in. Mali’s Mohamed Camara had a great game, operating as a holding midfielder for the home team while Nigerian-born Chukwubuike Adamu (represents Austria) shocked the viewership by scoring his maiden Champions League goal to bring Salzburg in front.Bayern Munich’s unbeaten record in this year’s Champions League was protected by the late leveler from Coman and the match overall was a tense encounter for the German side. Humiliated in Bundesliga by Bochum at the weekend, a battered and bruised Bayern came to Austria looking for a response. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side were mediocre in the opening 45 minutes and the home team took advantage of the sleeping giant’s approach. Substituted on in the 11th minute, Adamu handed Salzburg the lead with a delightfully curled strike midway through the first half. The six-time European champions were stunned.Bayern tried responding via their main attacking threat – makeshift wing-back Serge Gnabry. The Bavarians were able to threaten the Salzburg goal on a number of occasions – firstly registering the game’s opening shot on target early in the contest, the 26-year-old would again be denied just before the break. Valiant defending from the stubborn Salzburg backline stopped Gnabry’s double effort.Bayern emerged from the break staring down the barrel of an unwanted upset. Unbeaten in their previous 21 away matches in the competition, Nagelsmann’s side were eager to prolong it. But, with the hosts untroubled for much of the second period, the guests failed to break down Salzburg’s defenders.Coman came to the scene and woke up the confused Bayern squad. Frenchman’s wriggling run and stinging shot looked as if it was as good as it was going to get for Bayern but home team goalkeeper Philipp Köhn did his job.Unfortunately for the brave hosts, Bayern managed to crack their defences – thanks to sneaky Coman. The persistent waves of attacks would present the visitors with an opening which Bayern’s winger converted into an equaliser. The 25-year-old latched on the end of Thomas Muller’s floated cross, before rifling beyond a despondent Köhn.The Frenchman would once again spare Bayern’s Champions League blushes, having scored the winner in the 2019/20 final.Kingsley Coman with a late goal and equalizer. Man of the Match(RB Salzburg 1-1 Bayern) #UCL #SALFCB pic.twitter.com/FUEn2rtGcl— Wyngback Soccer ⚽️ (@wyngback) February 16, 2022 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUERound of 16TuesdaySporting – Manchester City 0-5 (0-4)/Mahrez 7, Silva 17, 44, Foden 32, Sterling 58/PSG – Real Madrid 1-0 (0-0)/Mbappe 90+4/WednesdaySalzburg – Bayern 1-1 (1-0)/Adamu 21 – Coman 90/Inter – Liverpool 0-2 (0-0)/Firmino 75, Salah 83/February 22nd23:00: (1.37) Chelsea (4.80) Lille (8.50)23:00: (2.70) Villareal (3.10) Juventus (2.75)February 23rd23:00: (3.50) Benfica (3.45) Ajax (2.10)23:00: (2.55) Atl.Madrid (3.15) Man.Utd. (2.85)***odds are subject to change
