Bayern held by Salzburg, Liverpool downs Inter in Champions League
Reigning German champion Bayern Munich almost suffered a humiliating defeat before a late equaliser by Kingsley Coman secured a draw at Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.
Coman, who got the winner in the 2020 final, converted at the back post in the 89th minute from a Thomas Müller flick.
Chikwubuike Adamu had previously opened the scoring in the 21st minute in what was Salzburg’s first-ever knockout game in the elite competition.
Bayern is now well placed going into the March 8 return leg but a second successive game without a win, following a
shock 4-2 loss at Bochum in the Bundesliga, will cause concern in Munich.
Liverpool in contrast lived up to its status as favorite at Inter Milan but was made to work hard for a 2-0 victory courtesy of late goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.
Inter played at a furious pace to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm but struggled to make clear opportunities other than Hakan Çalhanoğlu smacking the bar from close range.
Liverpool survived the storm and Firmino’s glancing header from a 75th-minute corner broke the deadlock.
Salah swept home from inside the box with seven minutes remaining to put a slightly harsh reflection on the scoreline but leave Jürgen Klopp’s side on the brink of the last eight.
“It’s a tough place to come, a really good team, a good system,” Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk told BT Sport. “Overall it’s a very solid performance and a good result to take back home.
“I think it’s a well-deserved win, but it was very hard work. We needed to be ready to suffer and do the hard work, and we definitely did.”
On Tuesday Manchester City cruised 5-0 at Sporting Lisbon. The remaining first legs take place next week.