'We made too many mistakes' - Julian Nagelsmann critical of performance after Bayern Munich scrape RB Salzburg draw

Published 16/02/2022 at 23:24 GMT

Kingsley Coman scored in the final minute to spare Bayern Munich's blushes, but it was another lacklustre performance from Julian Nagelsmann's side. RB Salzburg were moments away from a famous victory after substitute Chukwubuike Adamu had opened the scoring in the first half, and Nagelsmann felt that the goal was "avoidable".

Julian Nagelsmann, Head Coach of FC Bayern Muenchen reacts during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between FC Red Bull Salzburg and FC Bayern München at Football Arena Salzburg on February 16, 2022 in Salzburg, Austria

Image credit: Getty Images

Julian Nagelsmann criticised his Bayern Munich side for making "too many mistakes" after the German giants scraped a first-leg draw against RB Salzburg.

The Austrians were moments away from a famous Champions League round-of-16 victory before Kingsley Coman spared Bayern's blushes with a final-minute strike.

But it was, on the whole, another frustrating night for Nagelsmann's team, with the Bundesliga leaders again short of vigour and creativity.

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And Nagelsmann was disappointed by his side's first-half effort particularly, believing that substitute Chukwubuike Adamu was allowed to score the opening goal too easily.

"We made too many mistakes in the first half," Nagelsmann reflected on a 1-1 draw his side were reasonably fortunate to emerge with.

"We lost a lot of balls even when we weren't under big pressure.

"The goal we conceded was actually relatively easy to defend. The finish was good, but it was avoidable."

Having been stunned by VfL Bochum on Saturday, Nagelsmann would have hoped that the Champions League would offer a chance at immediate improvement, but Bayern, utilising an attacking three-at-the-back formation, struggled again.

Bayern enjoyed nearly three-quarters of possession in Austria but could not trouble home goalkeeper Philipp Kohn with the regularity that Nagelsmann would have liked.

Adamu had been forced on to the pitch early after Salzburg striker Noah Okafor had to depart with an injury, but produced a fine finish after cutting inside, curling beyond Sven Ulreich in the Bayern goal.

It looked until right at the last as if it would be the only goal of the first 90 minutes of the tie, but a long ball from Benjamin Pavard was directed invitingly into Coman's path, and the Frenchman poked home to leave things at one apiece ahead of the second leg in Munich, which takes place on 8 March.

Nagelsmann was impressed with how his side reset after the interval: "We did well in the second half.

"We took more risks with our defending and deserved to get an equaliser."

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