The surprise defeat means that Bayern, six times champions of Europe, will more than likely face a play-off match to advance into the last 16 of the new-look Champions League. On a rain-swept night in Rotterdam, Feyenoord belied their poor recent domestic form, holding firm at the back and hitting their illustrious opponents with rapid counter-attacks.

Bayern dominated possession in a cagey opening quarter as both sides struggled with driving rain and a slippery surface. Feyenoord had made no secret of their strategy to hit Bayern on the break and it was a pinpoint long ball by left-back Gijs Smal that broke the deadlock after 21 minutes. Smal's pass perfectly bisected the Bayern defence and was brilliantly collected by Gimenez, who curled the ball past the veteran Manuel Neuer.

Falling behind seemed to galvanise the visitors, who nearly equalised when French winger Kingsley Coman fizzed the ball across the goal but there was no one to tap in. England's Harry Kane had a gilt-edged chance to open Bayern's account deep into the first half but could only fire his shot into Feyenoord's defence from close range. Bayern pressed hard but Feyenoord defended stoutly and again hit the Germans on the break in the ninth minute of added time at the end of the first period.

Raphael Guerreiro was adjudged to have fouled Calvin Stengs in the box, Gimenez making no mistake from the spot, sending the ever-boisterous fans in De Kuip into raptures and Feyenoord into a 2-0 half-time lead. The second half saw wave after wave of German attacks but they could not find a way to unlock the well-organised Feyenoord defence and beat the excellent Justin Bijlow in goal.

Playmaker Jamal Musiala forced a sharp save from point-blank range on 60 minutes as Feyenoord sat ever deeper, every tackle cheered as if the game were won. Bijlow tipped over a powerful Musiala header and the home fans breathed a sigh of relief when the post kept out an effort from substitute Leroy Sane.

With seven minutes to play, Vincent Kompany brought on Germany legend Thomas Mueller and he made an immediate impact, sliding through a pass that nearly played in Sane. But even Mueller could not break down the wall and substitute Ayase Ueda put the icing on the cake with a third on 89 minutes to seal a famous night for the Feyenoord faithful. Bayern next face winless Slovan Bratislava at home, while Feyenoord wrap up their Champions League campaign away at Lille.

January 22, 2025

G. Smal

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