Liverpool got another famous European win on Wednesday night as they rolled up to Bayern Munich‘s home stadium and walked away with a 3-1 win to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals.
The chief architect of the win was Sadio Mane, who scored a brilliant opening goal to put his side in control of the game and then rounded off the evening by heading the clincher.
Here’s a closer look at the Liverpool No10’s display.
KEY STATS
Goals – 2
Shots – 2
Dribbles – 5
Pass Accuracy – 73%
Key Passes – 1
Ball recoveries – 6
30-SECOND REPORT
Mane has been in a rich vein of form and it showed the way he scored his first goal, making the charging Manuel Neuer look foolish as he turned the Bayern goalkeeper with ease before clipping in a delightful finish.
He was involved in a few strong challenges in midfield, perhaps getting lucky to not receive a booking but showing the commitment and energy to help his side protect their away goal. Then he rounded off a great night with his second goal.
GOT RIGHT
Movement in attack
Mane kept timing his runs to perfection. His first goal came about because of a sublime run behind Bayern’s back line, the second down to excellent movement, and there were more moments where his runs bought him space in attack.
Finishing
That opening goal was superb. The imagination and awareness to realize the chip was not only on but arguably the best option, and the ability to pull it off, were a mark of true class. And the diving header for his second wasn’t shabby, either.
7 - Sadio Mane is now Liverpool's outright highest away goalscorer in European Cup/Champions League history. Update. #BAYLIV https://t.co/OtTtNZKElJ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 13, 2019
GOT WRONG
Tackling
Perhaps as a result of how committed he was to the press, Mane was guilty of a few overzealous tackles, and he could easily have been booked more than once. Though it didn’t end up causing Liverpool any problems on the night, in another game that sort of play could end up leaving his side a man down, and shorn of a player who, on form, has been their best attacking player this season.
VERDICT
Away from home against one of Europe’s traditional powerhouses, though Liverpool qualify for that category themselves, Mane showed just how good he can be. His first goal was brilliant, a display of exquisite skill and execution.
He should have had a hat-trick, as Mohamed Salah rather selfishly went for goal when Mane was free for a tap-in – though the Egyptian’s wonderful assist for Mane’s second no doubt made up for that. But no bother. Mane’s put his side into the Champions League’s last-eight.
RATING – 9/10
