Bayern Munich center-back Kim Min-jae picked up a needless yellow card in the 18th minute, which immediately set off a red flag for many fans. After all, Kim has not exactly been the best at controlling his body or aggression over the course of a game. In addition, his positioning can sometimes leave him to make late challenges. In a game where Bayern Munich was heavily favored, maybe it would not be an issue? Well...
It was a fast start from Atleti, which saw Julian Alvaraz hit the side-netting before Giovanni Simeone headed home from Matteo Ruggeri's cross from the left wing to give the visitors an early lead. However, Galatasaray equalised in the 20th minute after a moment of madness from Marcos Llorente. The right-back turned a low cross from Roland Sallai into his own net, despite being under no pressure from the opposition in the six-yard box.
We know that we might have to go through the play-offs, that is not a problem for us. The regret is that in these three games we could've had more, perhaps not [against Arsenal], but against Atletico [Madrid] and Liverpool, a little more maturity and concentration could have made the difference. I think a month on from those matches, if we had the same attitude we did this evening, then it would've been a different result.
Vinicius has been having a lacklustre season, and some fans viewed him as one of the reasons why coach Xabi Alonso was replaced last week. Vinicius had spats with Alonso, a former Madrid and Spain great as a player, who was replaced as a coach following a tumultuous eight-month stint. Vinicius was reportedly the main player not backing Alonso in the locker room.